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  • Commodore 128

    From Bo Holt@1:129/305 to All on Sun Jul 26 09:19:21 2026
    Good morning!

    I am pleased to be able to share that after a year of searching, I finally came across a working Commodore 128 on eBay. The video RAM has also been upgraded to 64k; I am not a Commodore expert, but I understand that is a popular upgraded these days. I am curious to know what practical uses the RAM upgrade will provide.

    I am very interested in calling BBSes on it, particularly in 80 column modem as I imagine it would support ANSI graphics? It will be easy to get the best of both worlds if so, calling Commodore boards and PC boards.

    I am also excited to experience some demos and the software that actually does utilize 128 mode.

    Bo Holt

    ... Have you clubbed an ignorant human today?

    --- Renegade v1.44/Exp
    * Origin: The Titantic BBS Telnet - ttb.rgbbs.info (1:129/305)
  • From Dr. What@1:342/201 to Bo Holt on Sun Jul 26 09:59:16 2026
    Bo Holt wrote to All <=-

    I am pleased to be able to share that after a year of searching, I
    finally came across a working Commodore 128 on eBay. The video RAM has also been upgraded to 64k; I am not a Commodore expert, but I
    understand that is a popular upgraded these days. I am curious to know what practical uses the RAM upgrade will provide.

    The 128 has a 80 column mode where you can connect it to a CGA-compatible display using the 9 pin video connector. Without the video RAM upgrade, that display would only be monochrome. But with the upgrade, you can get all the Commodore colors in 80 column mode.

    I am also excited to experience some demos and the software that
    actually does utilize 128 mode.

    The software exists. Ex: https://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/c128/

    But the 128 mode of the C128 was not heavily used. The vast majority of the software available was for the C64. And software vendors targeted the C64 since it had the wider market.

    I've known people who had a 128 and never took it out of C64 mode.


    ... Programmers don't get sniffles, they get a CODE.
    ___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

    --- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Windows/64)
    * Origin: JoesBBS.Com, Telnet:23 SSH:22 HTTP:80 (1:342/201)
  • From Bo Holt@1:129/305 to Dr. What on Tue Jul 28 21:24:22 2026

    The 128 has a 80 column mode where you can connect it to a CGA-compatible display using the 9 pin video connector. Without the video RAM upgrade, t display would only be monochrome. But with the upgrade, you can get all t Commodore colors in 80 column mode.

    Thanks! I had planned to connect the 128 side to one of my Tandy CM-11a or my IBM 5153.

    Last night, I got a Sony 20" PVM from Commodore Sam, and I want to get a breakout cable for the "S-video" (isn't that just chroma luma?) to connect to it as well as my other PVMs. Also for my 64U.

    The software exists. Ex: https://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/c128/

    But the 128 mode of the C128 was not heavily used. The vast majority of t software available was for the C64. And software vendors targeted the C64 since it had the wider market.


    I knew about that sadly regarding lowest common denominator, but I figured there have to be a few real bangers out there, too... especially with new home brew.

    BBSing is a huge part of my vintage activities. Any suggestions on term software for both the 64 and 128? 80 column support?

    Thanks!

    Bo

    ... You hold 'em off, I'll go for help. (heh-heh-heh)

    --- Renegade v1.44/Exp
    * Origin: The Titantic BBS Telnet - ttb.rgbbs.info (1:129/305)
  • From Dr. What@1:342/201 to Bo Holt on Wed Jul 29 04:57:20 2026
    Bo Holt wrote to Dr. What <=-

    Thanks! I had planned to connect the 128 side to one of my Tandy
    CM-11a or my IBM 5153.

    That ought to work.

    Last night, I got a Sony 20" PVM from Commodore Sam, and I want to get
    a breakout cable for the "S-video" (isn't that just chroma luma?) to connect to it as well as my other PVMs. Also for my 64U.

    I'm not sure. What I've heard is that Luma/Chroma is S-Video, but the cable is different.

    I know that you can get an S-Video cable for your C-64 that will just plug in, though.

    BBSing is a huge part of my vintage activities. Any suggestions on
    term software for both the 64 and 128? 80 column support?

    Not off the top of my head. I only had a C128 for a short time before clearing it out for other things.

    I guess you get to have fun trying them out. :)


    ... Everyone is a genius at least once a year.
    ___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

    --- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Windows/64)
    * Origin: JoesBBS.Com, Telnet:23 SSH:22 HTTP:80 (1:342/201)