TheRetroChannel returns with a fresh episode focused on Commodore 64 parts board repairs. Faced with a pile of neglected boards, many missing key components or plagued by elusive faults, the channel’s host decides it is time to see how many can be coaxed back to working order. While some cleaned-up machines are set to be sold, these particular boards present a greater challenge.
Sorting Through the Stack
The journey starts by sifting through several breadbin boards in various states of disrepair. One board is missing a slew of chips, another holds a mishmash of parts from previous experiments, and a few sport less-than-stellar keyboards. The RetroChannel’s own “Ze socketed 64,” once used as a test mule, is now considered unreliable due to failing clone ZIF sockets and gets retired to the parts pile. It still provides useful donor chips, including a ceramic VIC-II and a marginal SID chip.
Tracking Down Faults and Fixing RAM
With missing components replaced from donor boards, the repairs begin. Diagnostic tools help spot trouble. One board boots up but reveals a suspicious SID chip that only misbehaves during specialized tests. Another board with infamous MT brand RAM throws up a rare, almost undetectable fault. Only with the help of Dez Test, a modern diagnostic tool by Matt Desmond, does the problematic RAM get identified and replaced.
The host highlights the importance of advanced testing over standard diagnostics. Swapping out the suspect RAM and other faulty chips brings the board back to life, demonstrating the value of thorough troubleshooting in Commodore 64 parts board repairs. Improved video quality follows after installing a modern RF replacement.
Creative Solutions and Mixed Success
Not every board can be saved. Some cases do not fit together due to subtle design differences, and a few boards are deemed beyond practical repair. Still, plenty are revived. The process includes tracking down subtle sprite faults on a ceramic VIC-II, noting odd quirks in CIAs, and making use of modern heat sinks and replacement ROMs. Throughout the video, the host leaves helpful notes on each board for future reference.
Reflections and What’s Next
By the end of the session, several once-dead Commodore 64 boards are working, though a couple still need additional chips or a matching case. The trickiest board is left for another time, promising more challenges ahead.
This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the practical realities of Commodore 64 parts board repairs. Viewers see how patience, detailed testing, and a little creativity breathe new life into these classic machines. For fans interested in the tools, replacement parts, or the process, the video description holds useful links and more details. As always, viewers are invited to leave comments and suggestions for future repairs.
If you enjoy seeing vintage hardware revived and learning the tricks of the repair trade, this episode is packed with discoveries and practical tips. Don’t miss the attached video for the full story and to catch a few surprise moments—including a feline cameo!
