From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

Good morning!

I am pleased to be able to share that after a year of searching, I finally
came across a working Commodore 128 on eBay. The video RAM has also been upgraded to 64k; I am not a Commodore expert, but I understand that is a popular upgraded these days. I am curious to know what practical uses the RAM upgrade will provide.

I am very interested in calling BBSes on it, particularly in 80 column modem
as I imagine it would support ANSI graphics? It will be easy to get the best of both worlds if so, calling Commodore boards and PC boards.

I am also excited to experience some demos and the software that actually does utilize 128 mode.

Bo Holt

... Have you clubbed an ignorant human today?

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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

Bo Holt wrote to All <=-

I am pleased to be able to share that after a year of searching, I
finally came across a working Commodore 128 on eBay. The video RAM has also been upgraded to 64k; I am not a Commodore expert, but I
understand that is a popular upgraded these days. I am curious to know what practical uses the RAM upgrade will provide.

The 128 has a 80 column mode where you can connect it to a CGA-compatible display using the 9 pin video connector. Without the video RAM upgrade, that display would only be monochrome. But with the upgrade, you can get all the Commodore colors in 80 column mode.

I am also excited to experience some demos and the software that
actually does utilize 128 mode.

The software exists. Ex: https://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/c128/

But the 128 mode of the C128 was not heavily used. The vast majority of the software available was for the C64. And software vendors targeted the C64 since it had the wider market.

I've known people who had a 128 and never took it out of C64 mode.


... Programmers don't get sniffles, they get a CODE.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

The 128 has a 80 column mode where you can connect it to a CGA-compatible display using the 9 pin video connector. Without the video RAM upgrade, t display would only be monochrome. But with the upgrade, you can get all t Commodore colors in 80 column mode.

Thanks! I had planned to connect the 128 side to one of my Tandy CM-11a or my IBM 5153.

Last night, I got a Sony 20" PVM from Commodore Sam, and I want to get a breakout cable for the "S-video" (isn't that just chroma luma?) to connect to it as well as my other PVMs. Also for my 64U.

The software exists. Ex: https://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/c128/

But the 128 mode of the C128 was not heavily used. The vast majority of t software available was for the C64. And software vendors targeted the C64 since it had the wider market.

I knew about that sadly regarding lowest common denominator, but I figured there have to be a few real bangers out there, too... especially with new home brew.

BBSing is a huge part of my vintage activities. Any suggestions on term software for both the 64 and 128? 80 column support?

Thanks!

Bo

... You hold 'em off, I'll go for help. (heh-heh-heh)

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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

Bo Holt wrote to Dr. What <=-

Thanks! I had planned to connect the 128 side to one of my Tandy
CM-11a or my IBM 5153.

That ought to work.

Last night, I got a Sony 20" PVM from Commodore Sam, and I want to get
a breakout cable for the "S-video" (isn't that just chroma luma?) to connect to it as well as my other PVMs. Also for my 64U.

I'm not sure. What I've heard is that Luma/Chroma is S-Video, but the cable is different.

I know that you can get an S-Video cable for your C-64 that will just plug in, though.

BBSing is a huge part of my vintage activities. Any suggestions on
term software for both the 64 and 128? 80 column support?

Not off the top of my head. I only had a C128 for a short time before clearing it out for other things.

I guess you get to have fun trying them out. :)


... Everyone is a genius at least once a year.
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

I am borrowing an SD2IEC from Commodore...

How did you do that?
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)

It was supposed to say Commodore Sam. After I sent the message, I saw some characters dropped out while typing. My connection to my Wimodem232 Pro sometimes gets laggy.

... Everything I like is illegal, immoral or expensive!

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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm


Dr. What posted:

The 128 has a 80 column mode where you can connect it to a CGA-compatible display using the 9 pin video connector. Without the video RAM upgrade, that display would only be monochrome. But with the upgrade, you can get all the Commodore colors in 80 column mode.

That is incorrect. Even with the original 16K video RAM, you would still get all 16 colors in 80-column mode when connected to the C128's RGB port.
With 64K video RAM, you have access to more screen modes which would use the 16 colors.

Bo Holt posted:

I knew about that sadly regarding lowest common denominator, but I figured there have to be a few real bangers out there, too... especially with new home
brew.

BBSing is a huge part of my vintage activities. Any suggestions on term software for both the 64 and 128? 80 column support?

First, look at the C128 Commercial Software/Hardware list at

https://portcommodore.com/retro-link/index.php/topic,1366.msg3695.html#msg3695

That will give you an idea of what is out there for the C128, even though
some of the commercial items may be hard to find.
As for the latest news on new C128 software, see

https://c-128.freeforums.net/

and you can look under Games for C128 or under Herdware.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group -
http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network -
http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan

P.S. I'm not an expert in BBS term software, but I can direct you to a club member who runs BBS's.
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

RobertB wrote to All <=-

That is incorrect. Even with the original 16K video RAM, you
would still get all 16 colors in 80-column mode when connected to the C128's RGB port. With 64K video RAM, you have access to more screen
modes which would use the 16 colors.

Interesting. I had a C128 for a short period of time. In 80 column mode it was only monochrome. When I researched it, everything I read said "they skimped on the video RAM" was the reason.


... I'm not worthless. I can always serve as a bad example.
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm


Dr. What posted:

Interesting. I had a C128 for a short period of time. In 80 column mode it was only monochrome. When I researched it, everything I read said "they skimped
on the video RAM" was the reason.

Heh, I've had C128's since 1985 and have used flat C128's and C128D's (both
plastic and metal versions). :) Wherever you got your research was wrong. Yes,
on a C128 with 16K video RAM, you only get monochrome when you go up to a resolution of 640 x 200. If you keep the resolution to 320 x 200, you will get 16 colors, whether you have 16K or 64K video RAM. See the specs at

https://www.vgmuseum.com/systems/c128/

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network -
http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

BBSing is a huge part of my vintage activities. Any suggestions on term software for both the 64 and 128? 80 column support?

First, look at the C128 Commercial Software/Hardware list at

https://portcommodore.com/retro-link/index.php/topic,1366.msg3695.html#msg3

That will give you an idea of what is out there for the C128, even though some of the commercial items may be hard to find.
As for the latest news on new C128 software, see

https://c-128.freeforums.net/

and you can look under Games for C128 or under Herdware.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group -

Thanks for the links! I got a SD2IEC from Commodore Sam and have been
learning how to use it and got the File Browser. Thatmakes it easier to get started since the Commodore command lines are not second nature to me ;) I've got to get a Wimodem for it eventually.

Bo

... Go ahead, speak your mind! I'll enjoy the silence.

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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

What are you looking to do with the Terminal Program?

Connect to TELNET BBSs
or
Old fashioned DIALUPs? (There are a few of those around..).

Either way, your first step would be to get a highspeed modem card (This g in to the C=128s cartridge port).

My recommendation would be the Turbo232/Swiftlink clone the GLINK 232T by GGLABS.

https://www.tindie.com/stores/gglabs/

Once aquired, you can build a special serial cable and BBS link to connect a PC and telnet out. (I can help with that if you require assistance.).

Other options are a WiFi modem (But I do not have any experience with that

Both, actually! I have a Wimodem232 and a Wimodem232 Pro, which I believe is manufactured by CBM Stuff? They obviously first made these for Commodores. Most of the time I use the Wimodem for convenience, but I like the
authenticity of dialup from time to time.

My budget is blown for vintage stuff this month after VCFSE, but I do want to do this. I appreciate your offer of assistance! My modern email is bo.holt@gmail.com

... Don't worry, Inspector. Just a swamp cult, no big deal...

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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

To: RobertB
Re: Re: Commodore 128
By: RobertB to comp.sys.cbm on Sun Aug 02 2026 00:55:07

P.S. I'm not an expert in BBS term software, but I can direct you to a club member who runs BBS's.

For C128 using the 80 columns out, DesTerm is the program to use.

For C64, StrikeTerm2014 is the one to use for 80 column ANSI support. CCGMS Future v0.2 is the one to use for 40 column AND 80 column PETSCII.

The B&W output from the 9pin 80col port on the 128 could've been the composite out (pin 7 iirc)?

Dan, make the PETSCII things for yourself, others will follow. People that frequent those web forums don't necessarily use BBSes and vice versa. Here I am typing on my breadbin, and I don't use web forums ;).

This reply was to multiple people.
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MutinyBBS - telnet : mutinybbs.com:2332 - ssh : mutinybbs.com:2232
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

On Fri, 14 Aug 2026 01:59:31 -0400
"Phigan" <phigan@mutinybbs.com.remove-51d-this> wrote:

The B&W output from the 9pin 80col port on the 128 could've been the composite out (pin 7 iirc)?

Not really - the 80-column port uses the RGBI standard, as used by IBM
on the CGA, and this includes mono video on that pin as a carry-over
from the MDA. Messing around with the established standard would've
jeopardized compatibility with all the existing CGA (and CGA/MDA/HGC)
monitors out there.

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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

On 2026-08-14, John Ames <commodorejohn@gmail.com> wrote:

The B&W output from the 9pin 80col port on the 128 could've been the
composite out (pin 7 iirc)?

Not really - the 80-column port uses the RGBI standard, as used by IBM
on the CGA, and this includes mono video on that pin as a carry-over

Nope, the memory of having a mono pic out of the 9pin port couldn't have possibly been using a composite cable, connected to that "mono video on
that pin"... Is that what you're saying here? ;)

Cool, cool.
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

To: RobertB
Re: Re: Commodore 128
By: RobertB to comp.sys.cbm on Sun Aug 02 2026 00:55:07

P.S. I'm not an expert in BBS term software, but I can direct you to a club member who runs BBS's.

For C128 using the 80 columns out, DesTerm is the program to use.

For C64, StrikeTerm2014 is the one to use for 80 column ANSI support. CCGMS Future v0.2 is the one to use for 40 column AND 80 column PETSCII.

The B&W output from the 9pin 80col port on the 128 could've been the compos out (pin 7 iirc)?

Dan, make the PETSCII things for yourself, others will follow. People that frequent those web forums don't necessarily use BBSes and vice versa. Here typing on my breadbin, and I don't use web forums ;).

This reply was to multiple people.

Lots of great tips. Thanks!

... Make my sushi medium rare

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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

Nope, the memory of having a mono pic out of the 9pin port couldn't have possibly been using a composite cable, connected to that "mono video on
that pin"... Is that what you're saying here? ;)

Cool, cool.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

I have an adapter for my 128 that goes to an RCA port that lets you do monochrome over composite... I haven't done much with it yet, but I just connect a regular CGA monitor to it ;)

... Documentation is for people who can't read.

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