So I just bought my first C64...

[DoingTheUnstuck]

And I'm already having difficulties.
I bought a C64 from a person and, from what he said, it was in working condition.
His words were, "The last time it was used it worked perfectly and hasn't been used since then. It's just been in the back of my closet".
Well anyway, I got it and hooked it up when I got home and all the lights (like "power" and for the disk drive) turned on.
The only problem is the cord that plugs into my telelvision. This cord looks more on the used side than the others. When I plugged it in, I got nothing on my TV screen. The funny thing was, was that if I sort of jiggled the part of the cord that connects to the keyboard, the screen would change and these static-y lines would appear.
I decided to clean it with some electronic cleaner and noticed something. One of the little prongs that stick out (on the end that you plug into the keyboard) is bent.
Could that be my problem?
Everything else seems to be working properly, but then again, it's hard to tell whenever you can't see what's going on.
As far as appearence, everything looks well. There isn't any apparent damage. It looks like the guy who had it before me took good care of it.
Perhaps I'm just not setting it up right. I have no idea.
So, what do you think my problem could be?
Thanks :D

 

[Jorg]

Did you search for the channel on your TV the C64 is 'broadcasting' on?

 

[ahm]

Perhaps I'm just not setting it up right.

More than likely.

 

[cgrape2]

Yep,check channel 3 and 4.That's where it where it will show up.Just like a VCR would.
cgrape2

 

[DoingTheUnstuck]

So, when I plug in the Yellow cable into my TV, my television senses it and automatically turns to INPUT 1. Is there anything I need to change about that?
And the prong being bent has nothing to do with it?
Does that not really affect anything?

 

[ahm]

So, when I plug in the Yellow cable into my TV, my television senses it and automatically turns to INPUT 1. Is there anything I need to change about that?

It's hard to understand what you're doing exactly with regard to video.

I understand you're plugging a yellow cable into your TV.
Is the jack on the TV marked? What does it say?

And, the other end of that cable plugs into the computer.
Is that end a large multi-pin connector? Or is it a single RCA plug?

 

[rebeltaz]

I would think that the bent pin is the cause of the trouble. And it is possible that there is a bad connection inside the cable. Try hooking the c64 up to a TV using the RF output instead of the AV output.

 

[Unknown_K]

A C64 has 2 types of video out, a round 5 or so pin DIN plug that ends in 3 RCA type cables, or the composite looking plug on the back that is for RF output. Quite a few people see the RCA type jack and connect it to composite in on their TV, which will not work. If you are using the RF out you need connect it to RF in (antenna) on the TV, radioshack sells a small adapter that converts the RCA cable end to a screw in type (like cable systems used) that will connect to the antenna in on the tv, then just make sure you are using the correct TV station.

 

[Fallo]

And the prong being bent has nothing to do with it? Does that not really affect anything?

If the cable is no good, you can get another one on Ebay. The C64 also outputs S-video, if your TV has a connector for that.

 

[DoingTheUnstuck]

AGH, this is getting complicated (for me).
I think what I'll do is post pictures of what I'm talking about since I don't have knowledge of what they are actually called.

 

[ahm]

AGH, this is getting complicated (for me).
I think what I'll do is post pictures of what I'm talking about since I don't have knowledge of what they are actually called.

A novel approach might be to use a common reference, like this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64#I.2FO_ports_and_power_supply
and be able to use the actual names, as shown.

 

[DoingTheUnstuck]

A C64 has 2 types of video out, a round 5 or so pin DIN plug that ends in 3 RCA type cables, or the composite looking plug on the back that is for RF output. Quite a few people see the RCA type jack and connect it to composite in on their TV, which will not work. If you are using the RF out you need connect it to RF in (antenna) on the TV, radioshack sells a small adapter that converts the RCA cable end to a screw in type (like cable systems used) that will connect to the antenna in on the tv, then just make sure you are using the correct TV station.

So, are you talking about the red plug-like thing that is beside the DIN plug?
I called Radioshack today and they said they had one of those adapters, so I'll be picking that up today. If that's all I am needing to do, then I suppose I'll be set. I'll post something if I'm still having problems.
Thanks!:D

 

[ahm]

The Radio Shack part is called "Phone to F Adapter", part #278-255.

(1) Screw the adapter onto your TV set's antenna jack,
(2) run a cable* from there to the RCA phono jack on the C64,
(3) turn the TV on,
(4) turn the computer on,
(5) enjoy.

If you don't see a blue image, try channel 3 or 4.

We've discussed this at least once before...
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=1080

* A cable with RCA male plugs on both ends (yes like for an Atari).

Andy

 

[DoingTheUnstuck]

The Radio Shack part is called "Phone to F Adapter", part #278-255.

(1) Screw the adapter onto your TV set's antenna jack,
(2) run a cable* from there to the RCA phono jack on the C64,
(3) turn the TV on,
(4) turn the computer on,
(5) enjoy.

If you don't see a blue image, try channel 3 or 4.

We've discussed this at least once before...
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=1080

* A cable with RCA male plugs on both ends (yes like for an Atari).

Andy

Okay, so I went to Radioshack and asked the guy for exactly what you typed.
The guy was completely condescending and basically told me that I had no idea what I was talking about.
I told him that my cable that hooked up to the TV (from the keyboard, the one with the 3 RCA plugs at the end) was faulty and I couldn't get a signal. I told him that I just needed that one part that you told me to get and he said, "No, that won't work. Whoever told you that was wrong". I just sat there for a while to bask in his ignorance.
So this is what he gives me (and by this time I am EXTREMELY fed up with his overall demeanor): He hands me an RF MODULATOR and a 2 FT COAXIAL CABLE and tells me that my "problem [is] solved".
I knew this wouldn't work because my RCA cables don't even work (because they are a part of that faulty cable)! So, I tried one last time explaining the problem only to be cut off by his senseless speaking.
So I just bought it. It was $40 worth of nonsense, but I wanted to just get out of there.
I am returning it today, getting my money back, and going to a different ReadioShack.
AGH, people are so difficult!

 

[dave_m]

Radio Shack people are not usally the brightest electronics people in the world. Just ask for the item by part number: Radio Shack model 278-255.

Here is a link to the part on the Radio Shack website. It costs $3.39:

Phono Plug to "F" Jack Adapter

 

[Bungo Pony]

Here is a link to the part on the Radio Shack website. It costs $3.39:

Phono Plug to "F" Jack Adapter

I'd never seen anything like that. I usually used one of those "TV / Game" switches that hangs off the back of the TV.:

http://www.vintagecomputing.com/wp-content/tvswitch_2_large.jpg

That little connector is nice and small!

 

[MikeS]

Okay, so I went to Radioshack and asked the guy for exactly what you typed.
The guy was completely condescending and basically told me that I had no idea what I was talking about.
I told him that my cable that hooked up to the TV (from the keyboard, the one with the 3 RCA plugs at the end) was faulty and I couldn't get a signal. I told him that I just needed that one part that you told me to get and he said, "No, that won't work. Whoever told you that was wrong". I just sat there for a while to bask in his ignorance.
So this is what he gives me (and by this time I am EXTREMELY fed up with his overall demeanor): He hands me an RF MODULATOR and a 2 FT COAXIAL CABLE and tells me that my "problem [is] solved".
I knew this wouldn't work because my RCA cables don't even work (because they are a part of that faulty cable)! So, I tried one last time explaining the problem only to be cut off by his senseless speaking.
So I just bought it. It was $40 worth of nonsense, but I wanted to just get out of there.
I am returning it today, getting my money back, and going to a different ReadioShack.
AGH, people are so difficult!

Well, in all fairness I think he was absolutely correct and your "basking in his ignorance" is just in fact demonstrating yours... I bet he was saying, "AGH, people are so difficult!" after you finally left...

If you want to use that "faulty" cable, which is apparently what you were talking about, then an RF modulator is *exactly* what you need. Try it, it just may work.

Reread message #13: this adapter has nothing to do with the cable with several plugs, it goes on a *different* cable with an RCA plug on *each* end which plugs into the RCA jack on the C64; you need the adapter *and* this cable, if you don't already have one.

In any case, I wouldn't blame anybody for thinking that an RCA jack is composite video which it normally is, instead of modulated RF as it is only in the C64 and a few other ancient home computers.

And if, as you say, none of the plugs on that cable give you a picture when plugged into the TV's INPUT 1, your C64 probably has a problem anyway. Exactly where is this bent pin you mentioned?

 

[Fallo]

In any case, I wouldn't blame anybody for thinking that an RCA jack is composite video which it normally is, instead of modulated RF as it is only in the C64 and a few other ancient home computers.

Systems up to the SNES and Genesis used RCA cables for the RF output, at the very least. And I wouldn't fault the guy at the Radio Shack, either. He probably doesn't even know what a C64 is. Heck, he probably doesn't know what a TRS-80 is, either

And if, as you say, none of the plugs on that cable give you a picture when plugged into the TV's INPUT 1, your C64 probably has a problem anyway. Exactly where is this bent pin you mentioned?

I still think that the cable is no good. As I said earlier, go on Ebay and type "commodore video cables". At the very least, it will cost less than that RF modulator did.

But, if the OP still wants to try the RF output, then search for "rca coaxial adapter".

 

[MikeS]

Systems up to the SNES and Genesis used RCA cables for the RF output, at the very least. And I wouldn't fault the guy at the Radio Shack, either. He probably doesn't even know what a C64 is. Heck, he probably doesn't know what a TRS-80 is, either

I still think that the cable is no good. As I said earlier, go on Ebay and type "commodore video cables". At the very least, it will cost less than that RF modulator did.

But, if the OP still wants to try the RF output, then search for "rca coaxial adapter".

True enough; some of the game consoles used RCA jacks for RF as well. Still, if someone came to me with a cable with several RCA plugs of different colours and wanted an adapter to connect it to the TV's RF input F connector I'd also be inclined to suggest that it's not what he needs; if I wasn't told (and didn't know) that the unit in question also had an RF output I'd also suggest a modulator as the answer.

I sometimes feel sorry for the much-maligned (and probably underpaid) Radio Shack employees and what's expected of them. But I didn't mean to imply that the OP actually *needs* a modulator, just that it was probably a reasonable suggestion in that context.

It might indeed be the composite cable that's faulty; that's probably why the adapter for the RF cable was suggested, since the OP might well already have an RCA<>RCA cable connecting a VCR or DVD player and that would be quicker and cheaper than finding a replacement DIN cable to test if the C64 actually even works.

 

[DoingTheUnstuck]

If you want to use that "faulty" cable, which is apparently what you were talking about, then an RF modulator is *exactly* what you need. Try it, it just may work.

Reread message #13: this adapter has nothing to do with the cable with several plugs, it goes on a *different* cable with an RCA plug on *each* end which plugs into the RCA jack on the C64; you need the adapter *and* this cable, if you don't already have one.

For one, I decided to give the guy's word a chance. I hooked everything up with the modulator, and it still didn't work, thanks.

And secondly, the part that is spoken of in message #13 (which I have read numerous times) is what I went into RadioShack for. I am completely aware that this part has to screw into an RCA cable with both male ends, and into the RF on my television. The guy wouldn't let me explain my problem, that's why he gave me what he did.

So, with his words proven frivolous (and perhaps yours too), I am going back to RadioShack to return my nonsensical equipment for something that will actually solve my problem.
Thanks.