In the latest video from Retronaut, Chris tackles a smart upgrade for the Commodore 1541 disk drive: installing JiffyDOS. After recently getting the drive back in working order, he goes a step further by building a custom adapter to fit the new ROM. The process includes burning an EPROM and walking viewers through how the adapter comes together.
While the 1541 was considered decent in its time, especially if you were used to cassette tapes, there’s no denying it’s sluggish by today’s standards. That’s where JiffyDOS comes in. It’s more than just a speed boost. With JiffyDOS, users get access to extended DOS commands that make navigating files and managing disks much less of a chore.
Chris keeps things practical, focusing on the steps and tools needed, without assuming everyone’s already an expert. It’s a solid watch for anyone looking to get more out of their 1541 or bring a little modern convenience to their vintage hardware.
