C64 interface for your computer

posted Jan 23rd 2010 9:06am by
filed under: classic hacks, pcs hacks, peripherals hacks

Before we get started, lets just point out that this C64 was broken. He did not take a functional C64 out of operation for this. What he did do, was to build a hardware interface for for his VICE system. For those unfamiliar, VICE is a cross platform C64 emulator. [Simon] points out that the old games just weren’t as much fun without the original hardware. Having a broken C64 lying around, he put it to good use. It now acts as the interface for all the original fun stuff.

If you are a fan of the hardware, but just want to interface it as a normal USB keyboard, that is possible as well.

tagged: , ,


23 Responses to C64 interface for your computer

  • Tom says:
    January 23, 2010 at 10:08 am

    Yeah, but how did he get it so clean?

    Reply Report comment
  • svofski says:
    January 23, 2010 at 10:29 am

    I like how articles on butchered ancient computers start with the excuses now :) Good, good.

    @Tom: some of the later C64′s were manufactured in white cases.

    Reply Report comment
  • pelrun says:
    January 23, 2010 at 10:38 am

    Retr0brite, of course!

    Reply Report comment
  • Simon says:
    January 23, 2010 at 10:46 am

    Actually I pulled it all apart and scrubbed it in the bath with some washing-up liquid (but it is one of the later white breadbox cases) :). You can also see it in action on youtube, just search for “C64 USB Keyboard”

    Reply Report comment
  • Gert says:
    January 23, 2010 at 10:47 am

    Retr0brite does wonders except it fucked up my NES.
    Peeing on the case would’ve had the same effect.

    Reply Report comment
  • Doug says:
    January 23, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    waiting for an Amiga system like that :P

    Reply Report comment
  • blizzarddemon says:
    January 23, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    @Tom Theres a product out now that removes all that yellow from electronics of old to give them there original grey or white luster again.

    Reply Report comment
  • blizzarddemon says:
    January 23, 2010 at 3:20 pm

    Here http://hackaday.com/2009/03/02/restoring-yellowed-computer-plastics/

    Reply Report comment
  • Janez D. says:
    January 23, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    Anyone know where I could get C128 power connector cheaply? I got a C128 but without power supply and C64′s doesn’t fit..

    Reply Report comment
  • Hitek146 says:
    January 23, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    ^Looks like complete C128 systems go for an average of about $50 on Ebay, and I see a C128 power brick just sold for $11…

    Reply Report comment
  • Darkstar says:
    January 23, 2010 at 9:12 pm

    If I remember correctly you can use an Amiga PSU on the C128. Maybe that one’s easier to find…

    Reply Report comment
  • Whatnot says:
    January 24, 2010 at 10:29 am

    A better project would be to get some thermite and destroy any c64 near you.
    I mean enough already.

    Reply Report comment
  • Paul Potter says:
    January 24, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Pure and utter awesome. I’m so doing this.

    Reply Report comment
  • Matthew says:
    January 24, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    Since when can retrobrite turn black keys white????

    I really wish people would think before spouting answers.

    Reply Report comment
  • Matthew says:
    January 24, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    And besides, the commodore was beige to begin with.

    Reply Report comment
  • Jope says:
    January 25, 2010 at 1:04 am

    Hehe, would have been worth fixing that C-64G and selling it for a good price, then getting a generic breadbin for almost nothing your project.. :-D

    The G models are quite rare, especially when they are unyellowed.

    Reply Report comment
  • Jope says:
    January 25, 2010 at 3:07 am

    “If I remember correctly you can use an Amiga PSU on the C128. Maybe that one’s easier to find…”

    No. Don’t do that.

    Amiga: +12VDC, +5VDC, -12VDC
    C-128: +5VDC, 9VAC

    Reply Report comment
  • ian says:
    January 25, 2010 at 8:49 am

    That looks like “Way of the Exploding Fist”, a classic.

    Up and button or backwards and button FTW!

    Reply Report comment
  • Ginger6 Computers says:
    January 26, 2010 at 4:08 am

    Fantastic idea….looks the biz….wish I still had my old Plus 4…..

    Reply Report comment
  • C2 Web Design says:
    January 26, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    Now I would ask why, but hey who needs a reason to do anything techie – coz I wanted too!

    Reply Report comment
  • elcoco37 says:
    February 27, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to start my own BlogEngine blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a fine example of it.

    Reply Report comment
  • first date tips says:
    July 8, 2010 at 5:36 am

    Do as I say, not as I do

    Reply Report comment
  • Fredric says:
    August 10, 2010 at 9:08 pm

    KEYRAH – sounds familiar? I think it has been available since 2006. Same thing but it has no support for paddles.

    Reply Report comment

    • Leave a Reply

    XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title="" rel=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <pre> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

    Hack a Day serves up fresh hacks each day, every day from around the web as well as hacking related news.

    Send us your hacks










         



    Hacks

    Resources