Commodore 64 Troubleshooting Guide: Difference between revisions

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''Note: Disk drives (1541, 1571, etc.) and the Datasette are '''not''' covered here.''
''Note: Disk drives (1541, 1571, etc.) and the Datasette are '''not''' covered here.''


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== 🧪 Diagnostic Tools & Techniques ==
== 🧪 Diagnostic Tools & Techniques ==
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   * If nothing at all after stripping to bare minimum ⇒ PLA, CPU, VIC-II or clock logic.
   * If nothing at all after stripping to bare minimum ⇒ PLA, CPU, VIC-II or clock logic.


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== 🔌 Power-Supply & Voltage Checks ==
== 🔌 Power-Supply & Voltage Checks ==
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Never run a C64 on an unstable brick; modern replacements or crowbar protectors are highly recommended (≥1.5 A @ 5 V, ≥1 A @ 9 VAC).
Never run a C64 on an unstable brick; modern replacements or crowbar protectors are highly recommended (≥1.5 A @ 5 V, ≥1 A @ 9 VAC).


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== ⚠️ “Black Screen” (No Boot) Flowchart ==
== ⚠️ “Black Screen” (No Boot) Flowchart ==
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# Remove SID/CIAs/4066 again if stuck.
# Remove SID/CIAs/4066 again if stuck.


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== 💾 RAM Failures ==
== 💾 RAM Failures ==
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* Colour-RAM (2114) only affects on-screen colours, never causes black screen.
* Colour-RAM (2114) only affects on-screen colours, never causes black screen.


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== 📺 VIC-II (Video) Faults ==
== 📺 VIC-II (Video) Faults ==
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Swap with same-type VIC to confirm. Never mix 12 V and 5 V variants without conversion.
Swap with same-type VIC to confirm. Never mix 12 V and 5 V variants without conversion.


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== 🎵 SID (Audio) Faults ==
== 🎵 SID (Audio) Faults ==
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No internal fix – replace with same IC or modern clone (*ARM-SID*, *Swinsid*, *FPGASID*, etc.).
No internal fix – replace with same IC or modern clone (*ARM-SID*, *Swinsid*, *FPGASID*, etc.).


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== 🧩 PLA (U17) Logic Chip ==
== 🧩 PLA (U17) Logic Chip ==
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Replace with modern cool-running GAL/FPGA-based drop-ins (PLAnkton, SuperPLA v3, RealPLA, etc.).
Replace with modern cool-running GAL/FPGA-based drop-ins (PLAnkton, SuperPLA v3, RealPLA, etc.).


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== ⚙️ 6510 CPU Faults ==
== ⚙️ 6510 CPU Faults ==
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* Replace with 6510 or 8500 (HMOS) matching clock.
* Replace with 6510 or 8500 (HMOS) matching clock.


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== ⌨️ Keyboard / CIA Issues ==
== ⌨️ Keyboard / CIA Issues ==
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Swap CIAs (identical), socket & replace as required.
Swap CIAs (identical), socket & replace as required.


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== 🕹️ Joystick Port Faults ==
== 🕹️ Joystick Port Faults ==
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Continuity-test each DB-9 pin back to CIA; repair connector or replace CIA-1.
Continuity-test each DB-9 pin back to CIA; repair connector or replace CIA-1.


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== 🔠 Character ROM & Other ROMs ==
== 🔠 Character ROM & Other ROMs ==
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Cartridges that use their own code/font will boot fine even with bad on-board ROMs.
Cartridges that use their own code/font will boot fine even with bad on-board ROMs.


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== Final Notes ==
== Final Notes ==