Lee from More Fun Fixing It takes on a unique project involving four Silver Label C64s. These rare early models are among the first Commodore 64 units ever produced. Each one arrives on his workbench with a mystery waiting to be solved. What starts as a simple inspection turns into one of Lee’s most surprising repair sessions yet.
Right away, he explains that this video is all about diagnosing faults rather than repairing them. However, when he checks the first of the Silver Label C64s, something strange happens. Although all voltages read correctly and the VIC-II chip is fine, there is no video output. After a closer look, he discovers something unexpected — leaking capacitors.
This finding shocks Lee. He has repaired hundreds of Commodore 64s and rarely sees bad capacitors. Then, after spotting corrosion near the video timing circuit, the cause becomes clear. The faulty capacitors are part of that circuit and are disrupting the video signal. To confirm, Lee references a video by B-Wack, who documented the same issue in this specific board revision.
Next, Lee examines the remaining Silver Label C64s. Two show similar symptoms, while another boots but has no sound because of a failed SID chip. The fourth system works but suffers from joystick port issues. Some boards are clean, others are corroded, and several have clear signs of capacitor failure. Still, one later model with grey capacitors remains unaffected, giving him hope that not all early Silver Label C64s share the problem.
By the end, Lee draws an important conclusion. Collectors and restorers should inspect their Silver Label C64s for signs of capacitor leakage. A quick check could prevent serious board damage. The discovery not only highlights a rare hardware issue but also adds another layer to the story of Commodore’s earliest production runs.
Fans of retro hardware repair will want to see what happens next as Lee prepares to bring these historic machines back to life.
