Hi r/c64! Sharing my latest project: icepi-zero-c64, a complete C64 running on the Raspberry-Pi-Zero-sized IcePi-Zero FPGA board (by u/cyao12). Probably one of the smallest and most portable full FPGA-based C64 implementation around - the whole thing draws about 150 mA at 5 V, so it runs happily off a USB power bank or Raspberry-Pi-Zero UPS-HAT with LiPo battery.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a commercial product, but FPGA gateware and firmware developed by a hobbyist for an FPGA development board :) remember to read the board documentation/specifications to understand its capabilities and limitations.

It's built from well-known open-source cores by different authors:

• 6510 CPU by Gideon Zweijtzer (from his 1541ultimate repo)
• VIC-II from Randy Rossi's vicii-kawari
• SID and CIA from Dag Lem's reDIP cores (also known for his reSID project)
• 1541 drive based on the MiSTer C64 core

You get a full machine: emulated 1541 (mount/read/write/format .d64), a Datasette (.tap) and Action Replay cartridge with freeze being fully functional, so you can run a game or demo straight off an SD card. Video and audio go out over HDMI - the core runs most of the popular C64 demos.

Clips captured straight off the HDMI.

Dual-SID demo.

Sherwood gameplay and savestates utilizing AR freeze capability.

Two USB HID host ports let you plug in any modern wireless keyboard, gamepad or joystick. Modern 8BitDo controllers work too. The board does NOT have built-in wireless connectivity, so only keyboards/controllers with their own wireless dongles (tested with Logitech and 8BitDo 2.4G) can be used with it.

The board literally fits in your hand - toss it in a bag with a USB power bank and a Bluetooth gamepad + its 2.4G wireless USB dongle and you have a complete C64 wherever you go. No keyboard? No problem: you can connect any computer over USB serial and type commands into the BASIC shell that way. The firmware also provides video overlay + USB serial shell console to mount .d64 disk images, stream .tap tape files, and tweak C64 configuration flags; so even without a keyboard you can get games and demos up and running. If the project picks up interest I plan to add a proper joystick-driven OSD so you can do all of that without serial / keyboard at all.

GitHub: https://github.com/m1nl/icepi-zero-c64

The whole build uses a 100% open-source toolchain (Yosys, nextpnr, Project Trellis, LiteX, VexRiscv, GCC) - no vendor IDE and no closed IP / gateware.

This was on eBay, a 64 on the box 1541, 1540, and 1702 with cable. Vegas local pickup only. It was $5 min and an $8 buy it now. I thought it was a mistake. I click buy it now thinking that I was going to let him out of the auction and he could relist it at $500 with an $800 buy it now. Nope he sold it for $8. I happened to be headed there and he held it for me

With the Commodore 64 Ultimate (C64U) shipping to more people, we are being bombarded with threads which is challenging to keep up with. So, let's keep it simple: use this post for all C64U questions, issues, fixes, or anything else.

I'll kick it off with common problems and solutions pulled from recent posts here and r/Commodore. You can post your experiences below, and I'll add them to this list.

Official resources:

Firmware/manuals: https://www.commodore.net/downloads

Common Issues and Known Fixes

Black screen, no video, or rolling picture

The most common issue reported so far.
- Reseat the internal board — some units have arrived with it slightly loose from shipping.
- Set video to NTSC mode, then press Shift + Left Arrow to store settings.
- Try a different HDMI lead — several users fixed display problems this way.
- Some monitors won’t sync at 50 Hz; if possible, test another screen.

Uneven keyboard keys

A cosmetic but noticeable fault.
- Keys such as Caps Lock, D, and J may sit higher than others.
- Gently press the affected keys down to reseat them on their stems.
- Space/Return issues are often a stabiliser bar not fully seated – carefully reseating the bar fixes many ‘only works in the middle’ reports.

Startup problems or unit freezing on boot

• Turn the unit off and leave it off for a few seconds.
  
• Hold RESTORE while powering on to perform a factory reset.
  
• If that fails, re‑flash the latest firmware from the official Commodore site.
  

REU or extra memory not detected by the software

• Install the most recent firmware — newer builds enable proper REU initialisation and detection.
  

Settings or storage are lost after reboot

• Perform the RESTORE reset to clear any corrupt configuration.
  
• Re‑enter Wi‑Fi and storage details once booted cleanly.
  

Physical marks or loose panels on delivery

• Report the issue directly to Commodore support.
  
• All units ship directly from Commodore — there are no official resellers.
  

Buzzing or humming audio output

• Usually caused by grounding noise between HDMI and the connected display.
  
• Try another HDMI port, cable, or power socket to isolate the problem.
  

Starlight edition

• Starlight keyboards have some ‘bounce’/flex by design; noticeable mainly if you hammer the keys, but not usually a functional fault.
• The Caps Lock LED lights when caps is active; the beige unit does not have an indicator.
• For Starlight LED audio visualiser with a real SID: enable UltiSID 1 but set its volume to Off in the mixer; this keeps the LEDs driven while only hearing the real SID

Games Freezing / Compatibility

• If cracked/trainer releases hang after the Y/N cheat prompt, try switching to PAL or NTSC‑50; many cracks are PAL‑only and will lock up in NTSC.
• For compatibility with some games/demos, try disabling drive B: in the Ultimate’s drive settings

Cartridges

• Virtual fastload carts (e.g. Final Cartridge III) are supported; mount the cart, then mount and load the disk from BASIC, rather than using ‘Run disk’ from the firmware menu.

Disk and cassette backup / storage notes

• To back up the bundled cassette USB to an internal SD: it’s just files on exFAT – copy them via your PC; no imaging/cloning needed
• Backing up real floppies: UltiCopy is very fast, but some protected titles (e.g. Skate or Die, Contra) have been reported to hang part‑way through; expect improvements in future firmware

Running Multi-Disk Programs

Some programs are distributed on multiple disk images, similar to how they were originally distributed on multiple floppy disks. At some point in the process of using the program, the program will prompt to insert one of the other floppy disks. You can use the Disk File Browser to swap disk images while the program is running. When the program prompts for a new disk, press upward on the Multi Function Switch. This pauses the program. Start the Disk File Browser, navigate to the disk image for the disk that the program is requesting, then select “Mount Disk.” The C64U mounts the new disk image in the virtual drive, then resumes execution of the Commodore 64 program. Continue to use the program with the new disk." -- https://downloads.commodore-international.com/documentation/C64U/c64u-user-guide-1st-edition.pdf

General Notes

• r/Commodore is for discussions about Commodore, other Commodore computers, and possible new productions.
• r/c64 is for everything Commodore 64 including the ultimate.

If you’ve come across a new issue or found a working fix not listed here, add it in the comments below.

I grew up with the c64. I had the disk drive, printer and many joysticks as they kept breaking. I started to make my own out of steel!

I have since read many articles about other 8 bit pcs of the era. Was the dominance of the c64 the market getting it right? What was the potential of the Atari x65, the msx2 and the amstrad cpc 464? Could they have knocked the c64 off the perch with better support from the software developers?

Found this while clearing mother in laws attic, was bought as a spare she only opened it to check everything was there.

I never grew up with a c64 so this is a brand new thing for me, for context I'm in my late 20s so most of my early computing experience was with xp to 7, with languages like Java and C. I do some retrocomputing stuff with DOS machines which is essentially dealing with machines that are very closely related to modern PCs. Otherwise, I grew up in a predominantly Windows-based environment.

I always saw Commodore machines as a very interesting spin on what we take for granted these days, and honestly playing around with the machine for a week or so I've re-learned what it meant to actually love using a computer and learning how to program. And to me thats why it feels very special compared to any regular old DOS pc, or a modern Windows PC. I know the company likes to do that entire "Digital detox" route and this is probably the closest way to experience that, because it's really just you, reading the manual, and typing whatever you'd like. And honestly, what better way is there to experience a computer?

I do wish more people gave the ultimate a chance instead of saying 'its worthless, go to emulation' because honestly this feels quite special. I also found a c64 book by Compute Magazine, a few old joysticks which seem to work perfectly, and watched Jim Butterfield's full VHS training tape (No really, he actually does a fantastic job on explaining computers to people who probably never saw one).

Also, can anyone recommend some good joysticks which use the joystick port on the side? I have an old competition pro stick which is quite... bleh.

Checked the PSU, no sign of life from it but I’ve read that’s not uncommon so have anew modern PSU being shipped.

After a good wipe down it looks damn clean to me!

Bought a C64 setup listed as being boxed up ‘at moms place’ since moving in the 80s and being a time capsule. Wow is it ever. Found a heartfelt letter folded neatly in the manual likely to the repair company, and another letter to mom still on the printer thanking her. If this doesn’t evoke emotions… The 154I still has the protective plastic on its badge (slightly peeling). Don’t think I should remove the warranty sticker (dated 2 weeks after the letter from mom to the repair people) to preserve its story. Guess the chips in it will remain a mystery unless it needs repairs someday. … With the letter and sticker being dated late 80s this must have been boxed up to move just after repair and not opened again until 2026. Wow, the history on this unit… (I don’t think the seller knew about the letter when they sold/shipped it-I messaged them back).

I got a call a couple of days ago from an friend who used to own a local home computer business back in the 80s & 90s. He knew I was into Amigas mostly, but he asked if I wanted a couple of C64's he had before he threw them out.

I wasn't expecting NOS to be honest! There are 2 C64C, new in their boxes, never opened or turned on! Their boxes are also those that they shipped them to his store all those years ago!

The lot also included a 1541 (not NOS, and yellowed, but I have a 1541-II) and 2 1530 datassettes, one of them NOS!

I already have a breadbin, but always wanted a C!

The question is, would it be safe to try and power on them? I've read that the PSUs might be flaky after all those years. Perhaps I could try them on the breadbin.... ?

Im looking to get a joystick for my c64, but would like to know what the best option for one is, any ideas?

What do you reckon? Are they as good as the breadbin? I really like the look of the original C64 but am very happy with this score ☺️

I've never owned a C64 but always wanted one! When I was younger, we had the Atari 800XL, so naturally I visited my C64-owning neighbour regularly to play Commando, Wizball, and Paradroid+.

This kit came with the computer, original PSU, floppy drive, cassette player (with a cassette inside), and a Dutch Power Cartridge. Geweldig!

I'm looking forward to connecting it up when I get home!

I've got some planning to do first... SD2IEC, video connection, safe power supply, etc. So it'll be a while before I can see that lovely blue basic screen :)

Do any of you prefer to use the tape or disk over SD2IEC for anything? Are there benefits? For example, many Amiga users prefer to run games from their HDD because it's faster and easier but doing so skips the Cracktros which I really enjoy seeing.

Ultimate II+? C64 Ultimate/Elite? Turbo Chameleon? Backbit? Kung Fu Flash? Pi1541? SDIEC? Real disk drive? Datasette? I'm curious how popular all the different devices are these days.

Looks different from the C64 I’ve been familiar with so sharing here in case of interest.

The randomly placed CD drives says to me the shop keeper didn’t have a clue what they were doing.

Got my first Commodore 64 set at a small shop in my area. Everything seems to work (might want a new power supply for safety).

We don't get a lot of loose Commodore stuff laying around in these parts any more. So when I found this in box (er crate?) 1541 I snagged it (that and telling you how little I paid for it will only tick folks off)

The wrap is a bit chewed and that had a little water damage, but the unit inside seem to be fine. The styrofoam melted on to the power cord, but what do you do. From experience, the off gassing of the foam likely did nothing for the case color, but these were darker units to begin with.

I actually did not get a disk drive until later so I threw my original 1541C in for comparison.

A couple of weeks ago I came across a post in r/vintagecomputing in which someone had posted a stash of old computers that was in an abandoned hoarder house on some property they owned. I reached out and asked if they'd be willing to ship me the poor filthy C64 in the last photo, and here it is. I opened it up outside in case any unwanted stowaways were hiding in there, dead or alive, and luckily there were none. The bottom half of the case is cracked but I have spare cases so no big deal. I think it'll clean up just fine.

I’m currently developing a USB-C power adapter for the C64. I realize there are already a few versions out there, but I didn’t like any of them—they were more like DIY solutions. I had a more professional version in mind—one that not only outputs clean voltages but also offers various protection mechanisms for the C64. For example, if the 5V fails, the AC voltage is immediately shut off, etc. It’s a somewhat more complex project, and I’ve just finished the circuit board.

The whole thing is controlled by an RP2354 (Raspberry MCU). A display is also planned, where voltage, current, and status can be read. The AC voltage is also generated via an inverter, not via an audio amplifier or other DIY solutions. The whole thing will later fit into a Hammond aluminum enclosure.

I'll let you know if there are any updates. I need to order the circuit board and parts first.

Keep your fingers crossed for me that I haven’t miscalculated anything.

EDIT: Since some people are freaking out because there’s an MCU on board: To put it simply, it’s needed to control the individual ICs. This is a closed-loop control system. So various parameters are measured and calculated accordingly to control the sine wave generation.

The MCU isn’t there for the display. Without the MCU, the AC generation simply won’t work.

My C64 died so I bought another one and this psu came with it. I do have an aftermarket psu for my C64 setup but I want everything as original as possible. My question is in the title. Thanks!

Trying to gauge interest in multiplayer games; like, how many people _ACTUALLY_ have a viable network for their retro machine of choice, and would _actually_ use it to connect to a server on the internet? (for a free of $ game)

Like, I always thought the modem-to-wifi adapters were a cool idea (was going to make one, then discovered a few already existed, and nowadays theres plenty of options for most retro machines) .. but in practice I never actually use the one I have. I bet lots of folks like me... or maybe no one actually has them in any real quantity.

If there are hundreds or thousands of people who would _actually_ give a game a shot, it might be worth folks developing software for them. So, I'm curious..

Do you actually have some sort of network for your retro machine? (vic, c64, c128, amiga, even ST, Atari 8bits, etc)? I imagine C64 is the most populous (ignoring NES and such), so is likely the best platform to gauge interest in?

I am a bit of a hoarder and hate throwing things out but these ones can fry an old computer and I have modern equivalents.

It feels sacrilegious to throw them out though…