This is a story about my experiences with the Commodore 64.
The first Commodore computer I got, like most people, was a Commodore 64. I got it for free from a man who didn't want it anymore (this was 1997, mind you). It came with a 1541 disk drive, a Video 7 Master Modem, and a box of software, but no power supply. After borrowing a power supply, I found the Commodore 64 to be defective. Still, I searched on for a working model. A year later, I recieved a Commodore 128DCR (metal-cased US-version of the European 128D). Unfortunately, it too was found to be defective. Still, the search continued. Finally, on August 15, 1998, I hit paydirt. At a yard sale, I found a Commodore 64 with a power supply, joysticks, cables, and software for the miniscule price of 50 cents. Even though it came sans disk drive, I knew I could use the 1541 disk drive from the other 64 I had before. When I got the C64 home, the power supply was found to be erratic, so I switched it's power supply with the one from the old 64. Unfortunately, even though it worked, I found out that it overheats after 30 minutes. Shortly afterwards, I recieved another C64, but even though it doesn't overheat, ot doesn't work with most joystick-based games. I didn't use any programs but word processors for months, even though I didn't have a printer for a few months. Then, I recieved a Commodore MPS-1250 printer, which is a relabeled Citizen printer.It is a dual-port printer: it can be connected to the Commodore's serial port (6-pin DIN), or a standard Centronics parallel port. Finally, I had a use for those word processors, especially after I discovered GEOS, the Graphical Environment Operating System, which gives the Commodore 64/128 a Windows-like operating system, a terrific word processor, a very nice painting program, support for devices like computer mice and RAM expanders, and alot more. Finally, in 1999, I recieved the solution: a *working* Commodore 128DCR for free. It came with a built-in 1571 disk drive, a Sears SR-3000 monitor (I didn't get it until May) and software. Later on, I got a Commodore 128 (original "flat" 128), which had a problem with non-responsive keys on the keyboard, as well as a Commodore 1571 double-sided disk drive. In June 1999, I recieved a large amount of Commodore equipment: an Amiga 1000 (the first Amiga model released, it has 2MB RAM and a small external hard drive), a Commodore 64C (a newer, smaller version of the 64), a Commodore 1084 monitor, and lots of software for both computers. Soon after, I had the flat 128 fixed by it's previous owner. So now, I have 5 different Commodore computers, and use most of them daily (except the two broken 64s). I will continue to use my Commodore computers until they break, and then I'll get new ones.
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