»

[Darrin]

Hi guys,

I managed to win a mint condition C128D off eBay. The thing looks like it is almost brand new, whoever owned it looked after it like a baby. It came with the manuals, disks plus some extra floppies and cartridges.

However, I have a problem. The RF out works perfectly. I have a C64 video-composite cable that only seems to produce monocrome images and when used on the C128D it produces rock-steady monocrome images in C128 and C64 mode.

I have a C64-S-video cable which I've used successfully with my C64C (until I got the Chameleon and used the VGA out) and I get this:

C128 Mode: Distortion at the top of the screen. Image moved to the left.


C64 Mode: Perfect!


Does anybody know what might be causing this? Does the C128 not like the s-video cable? Is there something wrong with a chip?

The workaround is to simply use the RF output when using C128 mode, but it is annoying.

Also, is there anything that takes the RGBi of the C128/C128D and allows it to be connected to a VGA port? I wouldn't mind being able to access 80 column mode.

Thanks in advance.

Darrin

[Motormouth]

Darn

What does the 80 column output look like?

I am not a commodore 128 expert, I do have a 128d, but I am guessing that this is interference of some sort, a bad Cap or bad video cable.

[Darrin]

Originally Posted by Motormouth

Darn

What does the 80 column output look like?

I am not a commodore 128 expert, I do have a 128d, but I am guessing that this is interference of some sort, a bad Cap or bad video cable.

No idea on the 80 column as I don't have a RGBi cable (or monitor).

I had to go on another trip so I can't fiddle with it at the moment. When I get home, unless someone comes up with any solutions, I'll test the same s-video cable with a regular C128.

I guess it wouldn't do any harm to open her up and check for anything leaking or loose.

[motrucker]

You really need an 80 column monitor! That's were the 128 shines.
I have never this problem before - But I have never used S-video from a 128D.
PS - I may know where you could pick up something like a 1902 for a very fair price - not all that far from you....

[Darrin]

Originally Posted by motrucker

You really need an 80 column monitor! That's were the 128 shines.
I have never this problem before - But I have never used S-video from a 128D.
PS - I may know where you could pick up something like a 1902 for a very fair price - not all that far from you....

Really? Please tell me. I'd be interested.

Thanks.

[motrucker]

Originally Posted by Darrin

Really? Please tell me. I'd be interested.

Thanks.

I have a friend in Florida, who still a small amount of 8 bit stuff (used to be a re-seller) I will call him this evening to see if he has a monitor left.
This way shipping should not to bad?

[Motormouth]

Do you have a 1084 lying around (i bet you do)? Hook up the 128D 80 column output up to the RGBI input on it (the only problem is finding a cable).

[Motormouth]

Originally Posted by Motormouth

Do you have a 1084 lying around (i bet you do)? Hook up the 128D 80 column output up to the RGBI input on it (the only problem is finding a cable).

What I suggest may not work on all 1084 monitors (I am not sure). My 1084S-P has a separate RGB and RGBI (Both Round DIN connectors) and S Video inputs. Infact I have both an A2000 and a 128d hooked up to the one monitor at the same time (though I dare not turn them on at the same time). I noticed on-line that many of the 1084 have only one RGB input (a 9 pin DB). I do not know if this will work with RGBI of the 128d

[Darrin]

Originally Posted by Motormouth

Do you have a 1084 lying around (i bet you do)? Hook up the 128D 80 column output up to the RGBI input on it (the only problem is finding a cable).

I'm older than that. ;-)

Unfortunately my A1081 died a couple of years ago so all of my connected Amigas now have some sort of scan doubler fitted instead. VGA monitors all around I'm afraid.

Two of the monitors have the 3 RCA type (RGB) component inputs, if they're any use.

[Motormouth]

Darn

The TTL RGB would have worked on the A1081.

I think that some of the old CGA monitors out there would work. There may be some on ebay. They would need the ability to do RGBI.

[mongo]

Originally Posted by Darrin

No idea on the 80 column as I don't have a RGBi cable (or monitor).

Don't need one if you can live with monochrome video. Pin 7 on the RGBi port is monochrome composite video. Pin 1 is ground.

[Darrin]

Originally Posted by mongo

Don't need one if you can live with monochrome video. Pin 7 on the RGBi port is monochrome composite video. Pin 1 is ground.

Interesting. Thanks for that. I might try and bodge a cable just to look. It should be OK for CPM.

[LoadWB]

Originally Posted by Darrin

Interesting. Thanks for that. I might try and bodge a cable just to look. It should be OK for CPM.

It is. I used the same with a monochrome Apple monitor way back when. Now, if you really wanna hear that monitor squeel, run something like Zed which uses the double-hires mode.