From: Snapshot-Content-Location: http://www.zimmers.net/cbmpics/cbm/PETx/petfaq.html Subject: Commodore PET FAQ Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2021 18:10:16 -0000 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----MultipartBoundary--ZgCBXrLYZAlLs4DcuvoqaGpzFyFItobDq56n6ortRc----" ------MultipartBoundary--ZgCBXrLYZAlLs4DcuvoqaGpzFyFItobDq56n6ortRc---- Content-Type: text/html Content-ID: Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.zimmers.net/cbmpics/cbm/PETx/petfaq.html = Commodore PET FAQ 
                          THE COMMODORE PET COMPUTER
                 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FILE - VERSION 1.7
                 -------------Updated 11/25/2000--------------

                              BY LARRY ANDERSSON,
                    COMMODORE COLLECTOR AND PET ENTHUSIAST
                    --------------------------------------

NOTE:  This FAQ is by no means complete, much of the information covered he=
re
deals with PETs and their peripherals that I have had experience with and
reference materials on.  If you have stuff to add or revisions to current
information please e-mail me at:

 foxnhare@jps.net

CONTENTS:
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

- WHAT MODELS OF THE PET ARE THERE?
- MOTHERBOARD SERIES
- WHAT VERSION OF ROMS DO I HAVE ON MY PET?
- WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES AND/OR BUGS OF MY VERSION OF BASIC?
- CAN I RUN VIC-20, 64, 128, PLUS/4, OR C-16 SOFTWARE ON MY PET?
- WHAT ARE THE BASIC COMMANDS FOR MY PET?
- HOW DO I GET 64 (VIC, PLUS/4, ETC.) BASIC PROGRAMS ON MY PET?
- HOW CAN I GET PET PROGRAMS FROM DISK TO TAPE?
- HOW CAN I GET PET TAPE PROGRAMS TO DISK?
- HOW COME MY PET CAN'T READ A TAPE FROM MY PLUS/4 OR COMMODORE 16 OR
  VISA-VERSA?
- HOW DO I ACCESS THE PET's M/L MONITOR?
- WHAT ARE THE COMMANDS FOR THE M/L MONITOR?
- CAN I GET A BETTER M/L MONITOR FOR MY PET?
- WHAT IS THE 'KILLER POKE' AND SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT IT?
- WHERE CAN I GET SOFTWARE FOR MY PET?
- WHAT KIND OF DRIVES CAN MY PET USE?
- PRINTERS?
- IS THERE A MODEM AVAILABLE FOR MY PET?
- I NOTICED WHAT LOOKS LIKE AN IEEE-488 INTERFACE ON SOME ELECTRONIC DEVICE=
S
  CAN I HOOK THESE THINGS TO MY PET?
- I GOT A PET AND IT DOES NOT WORK, BEFORE I LOOK FOR A REPAIR SHOP IS THER=
E
   ANYTHING I CAN TRY TO REVIVE IT?
- EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE HOOKED UP OK BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO LOAD ANY PROGRAMS
- I'M HAVING KEYBOARD PROBLEMS, WHAT CAN I DO?
- HOW DO I ACCESS UPPER/LOWER CASE OR GRAPHICS CHARACTERS?
- HOW CAN I HEAR SOUND ON MY PET?
- HOW DO I MAKE SOUND ON MY PET?
- I HAVE A PET PROGRAM THAT CAN USE JOYSTICKS, HOW DO I MAKE AN INTERFACE?
- WHAT ARE THE PINOUTS SO I CAN BUILD AN IEEE-488 CABLE FOR MY PET TO MY DR=
IVE.
- WHAT IS THE PINOUT FOR THE PET PARALLEL USER PORT
- WHAT IS THE PINOUT FOR THE DATASETTE PORT
- WHERE CAN I GET CONNECTORS THAT FIT THE EXPANSION/CASSETTE/USER/IEEE-488
  PORTS?
- HOW CAN I CONTACT TPUG (TORONTO PET USERS GROUP)?
- WHERE CAN I BUY/FIND A PET COMPUTER?
- WHAT IS THE 'BEST PET'?
- ARE THERE ANY PET COMPUTER EMULATOR PROGRAMS AVAILABLE?

....-....+....-....+....-....+....-....+....-....+....-....+....-....+....-=
....+

WHAT MODELS OF THE PET ARE THERE?

  The PET line was Commodore's first computer line after purchasing MOS
  Technologies, the primary design of the computer (as well as its
  microprocessor, the 6502) was by Chuck Peddle.  The line was labeled in
  series' the first series, the 2001 series, the European 3000 series, and the
  modern 4000 and 8000 series, and the final single unit 9000 series which =
is
  the SuperPET.
  I have just read from a C=3D 2001 series manual that the '3000 series' is=
 the
  "International Designation" of the 2000 series.

9" display  units (40 column x 25 line character only display):
  PET 2001 series:
   Original PET:
    - Steel case                - Internal 'datasette' cassette tape drive
    - Blue on black 9" display  - Small 'calculator style' keyboard
    - Small shipment with 4k, most with 8k RAM
    - Original ROMs
  Large Keyboard PETs (no more internal datasette drive):
   PET 2001 xN  (x=3D8=
,16,or 32 depending on amount or RAM it was shipped with)
    - Full-size key keyboard  w/PET graphic symbols imprinted on keys
    - Upgrade ROMs
    - Many steel cased, some w/molded plastic tops.
    - many with clearer green on black displays
    - Later versions had 4.0 ROMs installed
   PET 2001 xB (labeled as CBM, Commodore Business Machine)
    - Full size xx key keyboard (no graphics symbols printed on keys)
    - Upgrade ROMs (powers up in upper/lower case mode)
    - Later versions had 4.0 ROMs installed
    - Many w/molded plastic tops some steel cased.
   PET/CBM 40xx Series (PET=3D N keyboard/ROM, CBM=3D B keyboard/ROM, xx=3D=
 RAM)
    - 4.0 ROMs
    - molded plastic top

12" displays - updated video controller (prone to the 'killer poke')
   - internal piezo speaker, audible startup, and right margin sound.
   - 4.0 ROMs
   PET/CBM 40xx (PET=3D N keyboard/ROM, CBM=3D B keyboard/ROM, xx=3D RAM)
    - 40 x 25 display, upgradable to 80 columns
    - lower case availabe by CHR$(14) which also changes line spacing.
 80 column series (can be set to 40 column mode via software.)
   CBM 80xx
    - 80 x 25 display, powers-up in upper/lower case.
    - buisness xx key keyboard
    - later versions had 64k & 96k RAM expansion board options.
    - 4.0 ROMs
   PET SP9000 SuperPET=
 (or Micro Mainframe)
    - 80 x 25 display              - 6809 co-processor board
    - 96k RAM                      - True RS-232 interface
    - Multiple charactersets (for APL, etc.)
    - Avalability of disk Based languages
   CBM 200
    - Same as an 80xx series CBM unit with rounded case, not sold in the US=
.
   CBM 8296
    - Same features of the 8000 series but with built-in 64k memory expensi=
on,
      rounded case and detached keyboard.  This unit was not sold in the US=
.

Teacher's PET
   This unit was usually a 2001 series PET which was re-labeled with
   "Teacher's PET, Donated by Commodore Business Machines"=20

   The story behind these in many US schools (at Least in California, where=
 I
   know of it) Commodore had a promotion where if schools bought 2 PETs the
   third would be 'donated by Commodore.  This was a tax write-off and mark=
eting
   plan for the company similar to Apple's promotion of "an Apple for every
   school".

Educator 64/4064
   This is actually a Commodore 64 in a PET case, thus beyond this FAQ.

   Pic: Various PETs=
 w/other Commodore computers (for size comparison)
   (note bottom-rightmost three PETs with Calculator, business (B) and
   graphics (N) keyboards)

MOTHERBOARD SERIES

 2001 4k/8k (9" CRT)           2001, 3000 & 4000 series  (9" CRT)
            IEEE user tape #2             IEEE user tape #1
     +------####-####--##-+        +------####-####--##-+
     !                    #        !                   #!
     !                    #        !                   #!
     !                    # exp    !                   #! exp
     !                    # bus    !        ROMS       #! bus
     !                    #        !    F E D C A B 9  #!
     !                    #        !                   #!
     !                    !        !                    !
     !       (2k) ROMS    !        !                    !
     !      F F E D D C C !        !                    !
     !      8 0 0 8 0 8 0 !        !                    !
     !                    !        !                    !
tape #       RAM MEMORY   !   tape #      RAM MEMORY    !
 #1  #                    !    #2  #                    !
     +--------------------+        +--------------------+

 4000/8000 series (12" CRT)
            IEEE user tape #1
     +------####-####--##-+
     !                  # # tape
     !                  # #  #2
     !  R       exp bus # !     2000 Series
     !  A                #!       circa 1977/78  Max RAM - 8k
     !  M             9  #!       [daughterboard exp to 32k]
     !                A  #!    =20
     !  M          R  B   !     3000 & 4000 Series
     !  E          O  C   !       (3000 series is European version)
     !  M          M  D   !       circa 1979/80  Max RAM - 32k
     !  O          S  E   !
     !  R             F   !     4000 & 8000 Series
     !  Y                 !       circa 1981     Max RAM - 32k*
     !                spkr!       [daughterboard exp to 96k]
     +--------------------+

WHAT VERSION OF ROMS DO I HAVE ON MY PET?

  The PET/CBM line had three major ROM revisions as well as a few minor one=
s,
  you cannot reliably determine the ROMs by looking at the outside of the P=
ET
  (unless it has a large monitor).  Fortunately there is an easy way to
  distinguish the three various versions by just turning on the computer.
  Depending on how your start-up message looks you can determine the ROM
  version:

  *** COMMODORE BASIC ***  - Original ROMs sometimes referred to as 2.0* RO=
Ms.
                             (only found in the older calculator keyboard s=
tyle
                             PETs)  Occupy $C000-$FFFF

  ### COMMODORE BASIC ###  - Commonly known as the 'Upgrade ROMs' sometimes
                             referred to as 2.0 or 3.0 ROMs depending on wh=
o
                             you ask. Occupy $C000-$FFFF

  *** COMMODORE BASIC 4.0 *** - 4.0 ROMs  The only ROMs that will work on
                                large-screen PETs.  Occupy $B000-$FFFF

   * Some people contend that BASIC version 1.0 never made it out of beta
     development and the PET line started with version 2.0 ROMs...  Commodo=
re
     on the other hand usually refers to the 'Upgraded ROMs' as V2, or 2.0.
     For the sake of sanity in this FAQ I will refer to them as original an=
d
     upgrade ROMs.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES AND/OR BUGS OF MY VERSION OF BASIC?

 Original ROMs
  Commodore had not yet implemented the IEEE-488 disk routines.  Arrays are
  limited to 256 elements due to a bug in firmware.  There is no machine
  language monitor nor could the PEEK command access locations above memory
  location 49152.  The upper/lower case character set was inverted (SHIFT f=
or
  lower case), due to the way the accumulators were handled you could not h=
ave
  a command  such as POKE address,PEEK(address) work reliably.
  (note: reading my sources there are ALOT of bugs, will take a
   while to compile them)

 Upgrade ROMs
  Most Original ROM bugs were squashed.  BASIC commands and capabilities ve=
ry
  much like the Commodore 64's.  Now includes a tiny ML monitor and IEEE-48=
8
  disk operability.  Easter Egg - enter WAIT 6502,x to see 'MICROSOFT!'
  displayed on the screen x number of times.

 4.0 ROMs*
  Addition of direct Disk operation commands DLOAD, DSAVE, COPY, HEADER, et=
c.
  Ability to repeat cursor control characters by holding down keys.  Reserv=
ed
  DOS error-channel variables: DS,DS$.  Added screen 'window' formatting co=
ntrol
  characters in machines w/larger displays.

  * The small screen-and large screen versions of these ROMs differ and
  some software developed for the small-screen 4.0 ROMS crash on the large
  screen units.  This is due to the necessary changes made for the newer vi=
deo
  controller of the 12" display PETs.

CAN I RUN VIC-20, 64, 128, PLUS/4, OR C-16 SOFTWARE ON MY PET?

  Maybe.  Any program that is all BASIC that does not use hi-res graphics o=
r
  sound and contains no POKES should work readily on a PET.  Of course if i=
t
  contains POKEs, sound commands, and Machine Language, conversion will be
  nessasary.  If it relies on more than  one voice of sound, hi-res grpahic=
s,
  programmable character sets or color, it may not be worth converting beca=
use
  those features aren't present on the PETs.

  NOTE: Many early VIC, 64, Plus/4 (and IBM!) BASIC games and programs were
        converted PET games.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC COMMANDS FOR MY PET?

  For the most part the BASIC on the 64 is identical to the upgrade ROM PET=
s and
  it only varys by a few commands and features between original and 4.0 ROM=
s.
  On the other hand the 'memory map', the locations you POKE numbers into, =
vary
  quite a bit between ROM revisions.  Memory Maps are available for all the
  versions...

  Link: PET BASIC Q=
uick Reference
  Link: PET BASIC Com=
mand Reference

  TPUG still has a few books ($5-$15) and Commodore manuals ($5) available,
  with permission to reprint (!) the Commodore ones ($.10/page), and a near=
ly
  complete 8 page PET/VIC/C64 BASIC command list ($2) with syntax,
  descriptions, examples, printer codes, etc. (see end for TPUG info)

HOW DO I GET 64 (VIC, PLUS/4, ETC.) BASIC PROGRAMS ON MY PET?

  Unlike the later 8-bit Commodores,the PET always loads programs into the
  memory address they were saved at  (i.e. no loading ,8 and ,8,1 as on the
  later machines), which means BASIC programs saved on VICs, 64s, 128s, etc=
,
  will not load in the right location on the PET to be seen by the BASIC
  interpreter.  PET BASIC starts at location 1025 ($0401 in hex) and the la=
ter
  Commodore machines have different, higher starting locations. (see table =
x)

 There are a couple ways to get a BASIC program to load properly into memor=
y,=20

 Disk Track/Sector Editors:
  My preferred method of conversion is using a disk track/sector editing ut=
ility
  to change the 'load address bytes' of the file directly on the disk.  Thi=
s is
  not an easy process to 'explain' and I hope to write it up at a later tim=
e.

 BASIC Line Relocation Method:
  Here is a way to get the BASIC editor to do it for you; of course you wil=
l
  need to have an upgrade ROM or later PET (which has a ML monitor) or load=
 in
  a monitor for your original ROM PET first.  It involves 'linking' the hig=
her
  located BASIC program to a line starting in regular BASIC, when you delet=
e
  that line, the editor will move your program to where it belongs in memor=
y.

  1. Enter NEW to erase any programs already in memory.
  2. Enter: 0 REM=20
  3. LOAD the program you want converted (i.e. LOAD"program name",1 for tap=
e)
  4. When loaded, enter the machine language monitor by entering SYS 1024
  5. display the first part of the BASIC you first typed:
     M 0401 0408
  6. Change the line-link to the memory location of the program to be moved=
;
     use cursor keys to move up and change the first two two-digit numbers =
to=20
     read:
     :0401 01 08 00 00 8F 00 00 00
           ^^ ^^   (for a program from a 64, otherwise, see table x)
  7. Press return to change the bytes then enter X to exit the monitor.
  8. Type LIST, you should see the 0 REM followed by the program.
  9. Enter 0 to delete line 0 which will move the BASIC to its proper place=
.
 10. Save the program.

  TABLE X - Load Addresses for BASIC files:

       Saved under            Start of BASIC
        Computer           load    load   change
         Model/            addr.   addr.   bytes
      configuration        dec.    hex.     to:
      -------------        ----   -----    -----
      PET/CBM              1025   $0401     N/A
      VIC-20 unex.         4097   $1001    01 10
      VIC-20 +3k           1025   $0401     N/A
      VIC-20 8k+           4609   $1201    01 12
      Commodore 64         2049   $0801    01 08
      B-128                0003   $0003      *
      Plus/4-C16           4097   $1001    01 10
      Plus/4-C16**         8193   $2001    01 20
      C128 mode            7169   $1C01    01 1C
      C128 mode**         16385   $4001    01 40

  * The BASIC RAM of the B128 is located in a separate bank of RAM memory,
    which starts at a VERY low address and will be difficilt to convert wit=
hout
    a track/sector editor or saving it special on a B-128 itself.
  **  When hi-res GRAPHICS mode space has been allocated.

I GOT SOME PROGRAMS OFF THE INTERNET AND NEED TO GET THEM TO MY PET, HOW DO=
 I DO THAT?

  There are a few ways to do this. It mainly depends on what sort of hardwa=
re
  you have at your disposal.

  There are various file types as well, it may be easier to break this down=
 a bit, first are the file types you would find on the internet:
  filename.D64
  filename.TAP
  filename.P00
  filename.PRG or filename.BIN
  1!filename, 2!filename,3!filename,4!filename
  ZIP, GZIP, ARC - These are compressed files=20


  D64
HOW CAN I GET PET PROGRAMS FROM DISK TO TAPE?

  You can just LOAD the program from tape and and SAVE them to disk one aft=
er
  another, of course, if you are using a VIC/64/128, etc. the loading addre=
ss
  will get messed up.  Fortunately there is a wonderful fily copy utility
  available for PET (4.0), VIC (12k+), and Commodore 64/128, called 'Unicop=
y'.
  Unicopy (written by the famous Commodore enthusiast, Jim Butterfield) all=
ows
  you to copy from disk directly to tape.  This of course preserves the loa=
ding
  address and makes things much easier.  (also it performs multiple file co=
pies
  instead of just one program at a time).

HOW CAN I GET PET TAPE PROGRAMS TO DISK?

  Again you can do LOAD and SAVE as I mentioned or use a handy little utili=
ty I
  had discovered for the 64.  This program will automatically LOAD each fil=
e off
  of tape and subsequently SAVE it to disk (device number 8) and continue u=
ntil
  you stop it (or a disk error occurs when it attempts to save a file with
  the same name as one already on disk, disk full, or end of tape.)

  Here is the listing (remember this is written for the Commodore 64):

  5 rem tape2disk
  10 for i=3D53181 to 53247:read a:poke i,a:next i
  20 print "[clr][down][down][down]tape to disk transfer program!"
  30 print"[down]insert formatted disk in drive 8."
  40 print"[down]insert tape, rewind and then press play.[down]"
  50 sys 53181
  100 data 169,1,162,1,160,1,32,186,255,169,0,162,65,160,3,32,189,255
  110 data 169,0,32,213,255,169,8,162,8,160,255,32,186,255,169,20,162
  120 data 65,160,3,32,189,255,173,61,3,141,251,0,173,62,3,141,252,0
  130 data 169,251,174,63,3,172,64,3,32,216,255,76,189,207

  Type this in, SAVE it (don't want to type it in again, right?), put a bla=
nk
  formatted disk in drive 8, type RUN.  If everything is working the messaa=
ge
  will display and the computer will now ask you to press PLAY on tape, put=
 in
  a cassette, rewind if necessary, and press PLAY.  Let it run through the =
tape
  (this could take an hour or more if it is a long tape).  Reset the comput=
er
  and load the disk directory.  You should now have the tape programs on th=
e
  disk, note that they are all padded with extra spaces, you will need to u=
se a
  disk or directory editor to "fix" the file names.

HOW COME MY PET CAN'T READ A TAPE FROM MY PLUS/4 OR COMMODORE 16 OR VISA-VE=
RSA?

  You are quite a collector, aren't you?  When Commodore designed the Plus/=
4 and
  Commodore 16 they broke alot of standards they had previously established=
 for
  their 8-bits (and fortunately went back to in the C128); besides the plug
  designs, they changed the sound-frequency of the signals used to record o=
n
  tape.  Though the the format is identical to the PET and the other C=3D 8=
-bits,
  the sound is only readable on the Plus/4 and Commodore 16.  My sggestion =
would
  be to record the program on disk (1541) and then read it on a 4040 or 203=
1, or
  copy them to tape using a 64, 128. or VIC-20.

HOW DO I ACCESS THE PET's M/L MONITOR?

  The 'Terminal Interface Monitor' (known as TIM to some tinymon to others.=
)
  is available on all PETs but the original ROM version (which Commodore
  offered to users on tape later on).  TIM is activated by executing a BRK
  instruction by SYSing any memory location containing a zero (0), most peo=
ple
  enter SYS 1024, as it almost always contains a 0.

WHAT ARE THE COMMANDS FOR THE M/L MONITOR?

  G - Execute M/L:  G programaddress (i.e. G 033C)
  L - Load:  L "filename",dev  (i.e. L "PACMAN",08)
  S - Save:  S "filename",dev,startaddress,endaddress
             (i.e. S "FLASH ATTACK",02,027A,2000)
  R - Display Processor Registers
  X - Exit Tiny Mon
  M - Memory Display: M startaddress endaddress (i.e. M 0400 04A0)
  : - Modify Memory (supplied in memory dumps using the M command)
  ; - Modify Processor Registers (supplied in the processor register, P com=
mand)

CAN I GET A BETTER M/L MONITOR FOR MY PET?

  Yes, there are two that I know of that are readily avaiable.  The most po=
pular
  (and universal among the Commodore 8-bits) is Jim Butterfield's Supermon.
  There are versions available for all ROM revisions including original ROM=
 PETS
  and offer a mini Assembler and Disassembler among other useful memory/ML
  commands.  The other, similar to Supermon is called Extramon.  There are =
other
  versions many of wich are commercial but I have little information on the=
m.

WHAT IS THE 'KILLER POKE' AND SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT IT?

  This is THE POKE of computer lore, the command that WILL physically break=
 a
  computer!  Of course other commands and methods are known that can
  potentially cause damage (usually to disks, hard drives or other mechanic=
al
  units), but this is the most notable mainly because it was a command some=
what
  commonly used and it affects solid-state circuitry.

  Lately debate has gone up about how leathal is this POKE to the circuitry=
,
  some contend it will not cause damage, but so far no one has volunteered
  their equipment for testing.

 History of 'the killer poke'
  When the first PETs (small 9" screen) models came out, the display wasn't=
 all
  that fast.

  The old PETs were slow because the print character ROM routine=20
  waited for the interval between screen scans before updating the screen
  memory.  This reduced conflicts over the screen RAM which would have resu=
lted
  in random pixels (snow) being illuminated on the screen.  There was an in=
put
  on one of the I/O chips which was hooked up to the video circuitry and to=
ld
  the routine when to access the video RAM.

  It wasn't too long before someone learned they could impove the
  character display speed via a poke to location 59458; which would set the
  video controller to update more readily.  It was a noticible improvement =
of
  speed on programs using PRINT often, it was kind of like a free upgrade.
  It was mentioned in a few publications and used in many programs that rel=
ied
  on printing to the screen.  I had learned of the poke through Cursor
  Magazine, a monthly tape-based publication.  They printed the command in =
one
  of the 'newsletter' flyers included with an issue which you could insert
  into their game "joust" to make it play faster.

  Later on, when Commodore released the larger display (14") PETs, they had
=05  improved the display controller which made that POKE unnecessary.  An
  unfortunate side effect was that the POKE to 59458 affected a different
  register which adjusts one of the newer screen display capabilities, whic=
h
  could result in damaging the PETs video curcuitry when left running.  I
  discovered it by accident after our school received some large-screen 401=
6s.
  When active, the screen starts to warp after about the third line and the
  display stops around the fifth, the keyboard is also unresponsive.  When =
a PET
  is in this mode, the only solution is to turn it off, FAST!  Fortunately =
none
  of the school's PETs were damaged due to this POKE.  Later Cursor Magazin=
e
  published a 'fix' that would allow older PETs to use the poke and keep th=
e
  large-screen units from frying.  Unfortunately there are still many progr=
ams
  that do not have this fix.

 Prevention
  Make sure to check BASIC programs (especially games) when running them on=
 a
  large-screen PET and be ready with the power switch when you first run it=
.
  I have usually found the 'killer poke' statement looking like this:

  POKE 59458,PEEK(59458)OR 32.  It will always be a POKE to 59458, the
  remainder of the POKE may vary.

WHERE CAN I GET SOFTWARE FOR MY PET?

  Unfortunately PET software is not too easy to come by as it is for 64
  and VIC-20 collectors (though originally it was mainly converted PET
  programs that first appeared for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.)

  There is one FTP location on the internet that has a good selection of PE=
T
  software for transferring, you can reach it via the web at:

  http://www.funet.fi/pub/cbm/

  I also have a small PET games archive on-line:
  http://www.jps.net/foxnhare/archive.html

  and run a BBS which has a section of PET software on-line,
  the board's phone number is (209) 754-1363 (300-2400 baud, 24 hrs a day)

  Other than that the next best way is through contacting other PET enthusi=
asts
  and arranging purchasing or exchanging software.

  TPUG added this:
  TPUG has public domain PET and SuperPET software available on 4040 or 805=
0
  format disks ($3 members/$6 nonmembers) or on cassettes ($5/$10).  I have=
n't
  an accurate count handy, but it's 100 to 200 disks full.  Yes, SuperMon i=
s
  in there.  We also have 58 disks of educational programs developed jointl=
y
  by Commodore Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Education, and a dozen or=
 so
  commercial programs on cassette.   (see end for TPUG info)

WHAT KIND OF DRIVES CAN MY PET USE?

  Tape Drives
    Tape Drives for the VIC, 64 and 128 work well on the PET.  In fact you =
can
    hook up 2 tape drives on the PET (On non-original PETs the second conne=
ctor
    is inside the case, on the left edge of the motherboard.) and can be
    accessed as device #2.
  Commodore Models:
    SANYO - First drives, power supply section cut out and modified for
            PET datasette cable/plug.
    C2N - Box look, black case.
    C2N - Box Look, cream colored case (w/counter).
    1530 - Rounded low-profile, distance counter & 'save' indicator lig=
ht.
  Commodore IEEE-488 5.25" models
    2020 - (first drive design, bugs will be present if old ROMs)
    2040 - Updated ROMS, resembles a 1541 format & readbable on 1541/71=
s
    3040 - European 4040, like the 3000 series PETS?
    4040 - Read/Write compatible with 1541/1571s.
    2031 - Read/Write compatible with 1541/1571s.
    2031LP - Same as above but in a 1541 style case.
    8050 - Single Sided/Quad Density format, 512k per disk side.
    8250 - Double Sided/Quad Density format, 1mb per disk
    8250LP - Same as 8250 but with low profile grey plastic case like 1541.
    SFD-1001 - Same as 8250, but single drive unit in a 1541 style case.
   Commodore IEEE-488 8"
    8280 - 1 MB or 512k per Drive (little info on this one... called a mons=
ter
           for it's size and weight)
   Commodore IEEE-488 Hard Disk Drives
    9060 - Five Magabyte Hard Disk Unit
    9090 - Seven and a Half Megabyte Hard Disk Unit
   3rd party
    MSD-SD1   ** The MSD SD1&2 offer both IEEE-488 and
    MSD-SD2   ** VIC/64/128/+4 Serial bus interfaces.
    Modified 1541
    Exatron Stringy Floppy - Kinda a cross between a tape drive (in connect=
ion
     and file storage) and a disk drive (in speed accessibility and capacit=
y),
     more of a curiosity than in popular use.
   Others - Of course there are other drives some of which use their own
            proprietary OS and interfacing I have seen a couple ads in
            in the past but have never received any detailed information.

PRINTERS?

  Commodore Model IEEE-488 Printers
   2022 - Tractor - Metal Case
   2023 - Friction - Metal Case
   4022 - Tractor Feed - Plastic Case (Epson MX-70 mechanism)
   6400 - Daisy Wheel Printer - TEC F-10 mechanism.
   8023 - Tractor Feed - Wide carriage - Plastic case
  Some companies produced printers with IEEE-488 interface options (Epson w=
as
  one)
  Also available through some outfits were IEEE to Centronics/RS-232 Printe=
r
  interfaces which would plug into the PET and offer you use of common
  centronics parallel or serial printers.

IS THERE A MODEM AVAILABLE FOR MY PET?

  I know of only one company that prosuced a modem and IEEE-488 interface, =
the
  company is TNW, and I think they also built the Commoodre 8010, an acoustic
  modem for the PET.  I have some notes on using the device but have never
  actually seen one.

I NOTICED WHAT LOOKS LIKE AN IEEE-488 INTERFACE ON SOME ELECTRONIC DEVICES
CAN I HOOK THESE THINGS TO MY PET?

  Some electronic devices DO have IEEE-488 interfaces built-in to talk
  to computers, and the communications protocol is the same as on the PETs,
  you will need to get the data on how to communicate with your device
  though (like what device number it is, what commands it knows, etc.)
  which should be available from the device's manufacturer.

  IEEE-488 is also used on some Hewlett Packard computers and is referred t=
o
  as either the HP-GPIB, HPIB or just GPIB (for General Purpose Interface B=
us).
  Evwn though IEEE-488 is a standard it was not adhered to precisely by
  Commodore so some 'tweaking' of your programs may be necessary in order t=
o
  get non-commodore equipment working. (I.E. convert commands to true ASCII=
)

I GOT A PET AND IT DOES NOT WORK, BEFORE I LOOK FOR A REPAIR SHOP IS THERE =
ANYTHING I CAN TRY MYSELF TO REVIVE IT?

  PETS are pretty hardy beasties and usually don't die outright, there are
  times when all you need is just a little user intervention to get them
  running again.

  First check the fuse, which should be next to the power switch on the bac=
k,
  this sometimes can be the culprint (and in the case of schools PETs,
  sometimes it is missing).

  Second, open the case and re-seat the socketed chips.  The PET computer c=
hips
  have a tendency to creep loose of their sockets, you might try (with the=
=20
  PET's power off and you grounded) to first push down on each of the socke=
ted
  chips (mind any pins sticking out, you don't want to bend them!) usually =
you
  will hear a sound of them sinking in a tad more. once done, try the power
  again.

  If that doesn't work; you can pull each of the socketed chips and re-inse=
rt
  them, this has also been proven to work in some cases.

  Well, if those don't work, then unless you are an electronics technician,
  it's off to the shop (also check with your local Commodore users group, t=
hey
  may have some electonic whiz members).  Call around to local Computer and=
 TV
  repair shops and see if they have a technician that can diagnose and repa=
ir
  older electronic equipment (some don't, they just swap cuircuit boards, w=
hich
  would not be available in this case.)  Cross your fingers and hope it isn=
't
  some long out of production chips.

EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE HOOKED UP OK BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO LOAD ANY PROGRAMS

  One of the most common occurances is that you placed your devices (tape,
  disk drive) to the left of your PET.  The monitor on the PET is not as
  well shielded as modern monitors and puts out alot of interference where
  the video flyback circutry is.  Try placing them to the right of the PET.

  Other common TAPE problems:
  - Your tape drive head needs demagnatizing or cleaning
    (Radio shack seels tape head demagnatizers and cleaners)
  - The belts/rollers in your tape may be getting old (will need to
    disassemble the tape units and take the belts to a stereo/TV repair sho=
p
    to get the proper replacement.)
  - The tape connector is grungy - clean the connector by first rubbing off
    the dirt with a comon pencil eraser and then wipe off with a bit of
    isopropyl alcohol on a towel or q-tip.
  - Wrong tape port -  Make sure you are hooked up to the proper port for
    the tape device number you are trying to access.

  Disk Problems:
  - If the disk drive flashes a number of flases repeatedly it is reporting
    an internal hardware fault, here is a chart:

    flashes:         4040                             8050
       #   cause:      location:            cause       location
       1  - Zero Page - 6532, C1, E1         Zero Page - 6532, C1, E1
       2  - ROM       - H1                   ROM       - 2364, L1
       3  - ROM       - L1                   ROM       - 2364, H1
       4  - ROM       - J1                   N/A
       5  - Zero Page - 6530, K3, 6504, H3   Zero Page - 6530, K3, 6504, H3
       6  - N/A                              N/A
       7  - RAM       - 2114, D4, D5         RAM       - 2114, D4, D5
       8  - RAM       - 2114, E4, E5         RAM       - 2114, E4, E5
       9  - RAM       - 2114, F4, F5         RAM       - 2114, F4, F5
      10  - ROM       - 6530, K3, 6504, H3   ROM       - 6530, K3, 6504, H3

  - Your drive head(s) could need cleaning.
  - Try initializing the drive you are trying to use
    disk command Ix (x=3Ddrive number, note: Initilize does not mean format
    on commodore 8-bit drives.)
  - Your drive(s) could be out of alignment  Fixing this one is beyond this
    FAQ at the present time.
  - The IEEE-488 connector may be grungy - clean the connector by first rub=
bing
    off the dirt with a comon pencil eraser and then wipe off with a bit of
    isopropyl alcohol on a towel or q-tip.
  - Wrong port -  Make sure you are hooked up to the proper port, the IEEE-=
488
    port is the port closest to the power switch, and that the connector is
    right side up (on most Commodore cables, it is writing side up)
  - The drive might be set for something other than device 8.

I'M HAVING KEYBOARD PROBLEMS, WHAT CAN I DO?

  There are two common keyboard problems on the PET, the most common is a
  dirty keyboard, that is where some or many keys are not working or don't
  work well.  The second my be a loose wire on the keyboard cable, where ev=
ery
  other, third or fourth key doesn't work.  Both jobs require a little skil=
l
  with a soldering iron and normal precautions to protect your computer fro=
m
  static.  I am going to discuss just cleaning the keyboard; if you think y=
ou
  have a loose connection, you may consider going though this process as it
  will also give you easy access to the wires that may be broken, and let y=
ou
  do your repairs long the way.

  Cleaning the keyboard:
   Cleaning the PET's keyboard is not a hard process but a tedious one.  No=
r
   is my process a standard or fool-proof; everyone has their own idea on h=
ow
   to do this and I offer no gaurantee that it will fix or not damage your
   computer, if you are uneasy with the steps presented, then you should
   strongly consider letting an experienced electronics person do the job f=
or
   you.  In order to clean the contacts you will need to remove the keyboar=
d
   from the computer and partially dissassemble it, then re-assemble and te=
st,
   I have had to dissassemble and reassemble stubborn keyboards up to three
   times to get all the keys working so don't be frustrated if it does not
   work on the first or second time.

  Tools you will need:
  - Medium sized phillips screwdriver (for the case screws and the keyboard
    mounting screws.)
  - Small phillips and/or regular screw driver for the screws holding the
    keyboard's PCB in place.
  - Low wattage soldering iron for disconnecting and re-connecting the shif=
t-
    lock switch from the keyboard PCB.
  - Can of compressed air
  - clean pink-pearl or dust-free pencil eraser and a clean sheet of paper.
  - paper towl or lint-free cloth
  - denatured alcohol (isopropyl rubbing alcohol ok, but get it in the 90%
    alcohol range)
  -also good light and a clean workspace.

  1. Open the PET cabinet.
    - Under the white top of the PET cabinet, near the front on the left an=
d
      right sides there may be two phillips type screws holding the cabinet
      shut, remove them.
    - lift the wite top from the front, (*there is a hinge in the back),
      careful not to lift too far to stress the keyboard or video connectio=
ns.
      Locate the wire 'hood prop' (either in the front base or under the ho=
od
      on the left side, undo from it's hook and place in (or next to) the
      screw cavity where the case screw was.
  2. Remove the keybord assembly.
    - carefully work the keyboard connector loose from the main circuit boa=
rd
      (it's been a few years, dont force it too hard.)
    - remove the large screws holding the keyboard assembly to the case and
      take the keyboard to your clean work area, be careful of bending the
      keyboard wires at the PCB, the older the PET the more brittle the
      connections may be.
  3. Diassassemble the keyboard PCB from the keyboard machanism.
    - flip the keyboard upside down, you will see the PCB section of the
      keyboard, along the center there are two wires that are soldered to t=
wo
      pins, this is the shift-lock switch connection. (if you had a steel
      plate under your keyboard assembly there probably is a square of stic=
ky
      foam covering those contacts) you will see about 20 or so tiny screws
      holding the PCB onto the assembly.
    - With the soldering iron, undo the wires connecting to the shift-lock
      switch, do not linger on those contacts too long or use a high wattag=
e
      iron, it could damage the plastic workings of the switch.
    - with the small screwdriver remove all the tiny screws, make sure the
      driver has a snug fit, you don't want to strip the screwdriver holes.
    - Remove the PCB from the keyboard assembly, note: On some boards, the
      'little rubber cups' act as a contact and sometimes spring, don't
      loose track of those, put them back in the recepticles they came out =
of.
  4. Clean the PCB section.
    - wipe the pcb section with the towel or cloth to remove any dust.
    - with the eraser, 'erase' the 'gold fingers' of the key contacts, not =
to
      hard else you remove the traces.
    - wipe the PCB to remove eraser crumbs.
    - dampen a towel or cloth with the alcohol and then wipe the contacts o=
n
      the board again (this will help dissolve crud you can't see), make su=
re
      it's dry.
  5. Clean the Assembly.
    - If there is alot of crud underneath the keycaps (non-original PET kbd=
s)
      you may want to  blow the stuff out now with the compressed air,
      if there is alot of gunk between keys, you may want to clean that too
      (I recommend covering a pencil or pen tip with a towel or cloth, to g=
et
      in the tight places between keys real good)
    - Bottom of assembly - you will see little dark rubbery or spongy 'feet=
'
      below every key assembly these are carbon conductors which bridge the
      contact of the PCB's 'fingers', they are somewhat fragile so we don't
      want to punish them too hard.
    - Blow out any dust with compressed air.
    - with the eraser lightly wipe each foot, the eraser will pick up some =
of
      the graphite, you will need to clean it (the eraser) off by 'erasing'
      on the paper after every few 'feet'.
    - blow out the assembly with the air once more.
  6. Re-Assemble and test
    - before we put everything all together you should do a partial
      re-assembly and test that tll the keys work, some keys may need more
      attention (or their 'feet' switched with less used keys)
    - Fit the PCB back on the assembly and put in thoe 20 or so tiny screws
      (don't overtighten or you will strip the plastic threading on the
      assembly!)
    - To reduce possible heat damage to the shift lock, do not re-connect y=
et.
    - Plug in the keyboard connector into the computer's circuit board.
    - Turn on PET and test keys.
    - Note problem keys, if the dead keys are in a pattern (every other eve=
ry
      third, etc), you may have a broken wire on the keyboard connector.  I=
f
      it is just a couple keys, you will have to un-attach, re-open and
      concentrate on those keys.
  7. Keys clean, re-solder and re-assemble!
    - Once all the keys are clean you can re-solder the shift-lock wires
      (and replace the foam insulator if it had one)
    - If you have a plastic cased PET, BE VERY CAREFUL fitting and tighteni=
ng
      those keyboard assembly screws, those posts can snap easier than you
      think!
    - Fit key keyboard assembly in the PET's case and partially screw in tw=
o
      or three screws. then check the edge keys to make sure they are not
      rubbing or stuck against the case, and shift the assembly as needed,
      tighten screws and put in the rest.
    - Plug back in the keyboard connector and re-test the keyboard.
    - If all is well put the prop back in its hook, and close the hood and =
put
      back in the hood screws.

HOW DO I ACCESS UPPER/LOWER CASE OR GRAPHICS CHARACTER SETS?

  In order to have graphic symbols to to draw simple charts and for games
  as well as upper and lower case characters for word processing Commodore
  gave the PET two 256 character sets, one with upper and lower case
  characters for word processing and business applications and one with
  upper case and graphics characters for charts, games, etc.  In order to
  change the 'mode' of the PET you must direct the computer to 'look' at
  one of two character sets via a POKE command.=20

  The PETs start up in one of two modes, upper case characters (pressing
  shift types graphics symbols) or lower case characters (pressing shift
  shift types upper case characters).

  To direct the computer to uppercase/grpahics mode:
    POKE 59468,12

  To direct the computer to lower/uppercase mode:
    POKE 59468,14

   Note that when you change sets the characters on the screen change
   immediately to the new image, you cannot hve characters from both
   set on the screen at the same time without some specially timed
   program to perform it.

  Original ROM PET have reversed reversed upper/lower case characters:

  Commodore had the upper/lower case characters reversed in the original
  ROM models where both modes started with upper case characters and you
  pressed SHIFT for lower case or graphics.  This is the reason for some
  older software having reversed case text.  There are utilities available
  that will adjust all your PRINT statements to the proper case for the
  newer or older ROM machines.

  12" 4000/8000 series:

  The 12" 4000/8000 series PETs allow you to change case by printing
  a control character:  CHR$(14) - Text Mode   CHR$(142)-Graphics Mode

  When you issue a CHR$(14) on a 4000/800 series PET the newer display
  controller will be adjusted so there is a pixel or two gap between
  screen lines.  If you do not wish this gap in text mode just
  POKE 59468,14 instead of printing CHR$(14)
  (if you want the gap in character mode you can issue a ? CHR$(14)
  and then POKE 59468,12 to produce the desired effect.)

  Unlike the later Commmodore 8-Bits there is no way to edit the
  characters on the screen in software alone.

HOW CAN I HEAR SOUND ON MY PET?

  Like many other microcomputers of the time the PET was not originally des=
igned
  to produce sound.  A few methods of sound generation have been developed =
but
  the most popular employs the use of parallel user port pin M which is use=
d
  to generate a 'square wave' output by setting the 'handshake register' fo=
r
  port B into a free-running mode.  Adjustments to the timing of the handsh=
ake
  and the pattern of the 'wave' adjusts its sound and timbre.  You can achi=
eve
  approximately 3 octaves of notes and various noises with this one voice
  output.

  The latest 4000/8000 (large screen PET) motherboards have a built-in piez=
o
  speaker and also have a bell sound accessible with a print: chr$(7)

   Sound Interface Dia=
gram (use mono-spaced font to view properly)

   Parallel Port:
                              1  1  1
   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  0  1  2
   =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D=20
  ### ######################### ######
   =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D
   A  B  C  D  E  F  H  J  K  L  M  N     Ground          +=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D+
                                 !  +---------------------!   AUDIO   !
                             CB2 !      50-500K resistor  ! AMPLIFIER !
                                 +-----/\/\/\-------------+=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D+

  You can get most of the parts (except the parallel port connector) at
  Radio Shack, including a low-cost mini amplifier.  See below for a source
  for 12/25 edgeboard connectors.

HOW DO I MAKE SOUND ON MY PET?

  This process sets the PET's shift register in a free-running  state where=
 the
  signal is used for sound generation.  By adjusting the pattern of the out=
put
  and the frequency you can produce a wide variety of sounds, and even musi=
c!

  Three pokes are required to make sound:
    POKE 59467,16 (turn on port for sound output use 0 to turn it off*)
    POKE 59466,octave (octave number, see below)
    POKE 59464,frequency (0 for no sound)

  After setting 59467 you can adjust 59466 and 59464 to get any sort of sou=
nd,
  but to get music you need to set them with specific values, here is a=20
  three-octave note table:

  Note Table:

         octave=3D15     octave=3D51     octave=3D85
  Note  Oct.0 Oct.1 ! Oct.1 Oct.2 ! Oct.2 Oct.3
  Freq  ------------+-------------+--------------=20
   B     251   125  !  251   125  !  251   125
   C     238   118  !  238   118  !  238   118
   C#    224   110  !  224   110  !  224   110
   D     210   104  !  210   104  !  210   104
   D#    199    99  !  199    99  !  199    99
   E     188    93  !  188    93  !  188    93
   F     177    88  !  177    88  !  177    88
   F#    168    83  !  168    83  !  168    83
   G     158    78  !  158    78  !  158    78
   G#    149    74  !  149    74  !  149    74
   A     140    69  !  140    69  !  140    69
   A#    133    65  !  133    65  !  133    65

  Set 59466 with octave range desired and play notes by setting the frequen=
cy
  in 59464.  To stop any sound use POKE 59464,0.

  * Note, due to a hardware bug, leaving the shift register in free running
    mode will cause problems when attempting to use the datasette so always
    POKE 59467,0 before attempting to use any tape commands.

  The process for using and playing sound can also be done on the 64/128 an=
d
  VIC-20 the same connector pins are involved but the POKEs are different:

    Instead of 59467, 59466, and 59464 for the PET use these:
      on the VIC-20:     37147, 37146, and 37144
      on the 64 or 128:  56587, 56586, and 56584

I HAVE A PET PROGRAM THAT CAN USE JOYSTICKS, HOW DO I MAKE AN INTERFACE?

  The PET was not initially designed for joysticks but a determined user ha=
d
  devised a dual-joystick interface employing the parallel port.  This inte=
rface
  allows you to plug in standard Atari/Commodore compatible joysticks....

  Interface Diagram  (use mono-spaced font to view properly)

  Looking at back of user port         1  1  1
            1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  0  1  2
            =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D
           ### ######################### ######
            =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D
            A  B  C  D  E  F  H  J  K  L  M  N
            !     !  !  !  !  !  !  !  !     !
            !     !  !  !  !  !  !  !  !     !
  port 1->  8     1  2  3  4  !  !  !  !     !
                              !  !  !  !     !
                   port 2->   1  2  3  4     8


  Joystick pin diagram =3D>  5  [4] [3] [2] [1]
  looking at back of                    \ /
  male connector             9  [8]  7  [6]

  The 'fire' button (pin 6) is added by connecting joystick port pins 1 &am=
p; 2
  to pin 6 with diodes, solder each diode from (already wired) pins 1 &=
 2
  to pin 6 (with the banded ends to pin 6).

WHAT ARE THE PINOUTS SO I CAN BUILD AN IEEE-488 CABLE FOR MY PET TO MY DRIV=
E.

  On the PET the pin arrangement for the IEEE-488 port is:

                              1  1  1
   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  0  1  2
   =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D
  ###### ################### #########
   =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D
   A  B  C  D  E  F  H  J  K  L  M  N

   1 - DIO1       9 - IFC         E - REN
   2 - DIO2      10 - SRQ         F - GND
   3 - DIO3      11 - ATN         H - GND
   4 - DIO4      12 - GND         J - GND
   5 - EOI        A - DIO5        K - GND
   6 - DAV        B - DIO6        L - GND
   7 - NRFD       C - DIO7        M - GND
   8 - NDAC       D - DIO8        N - GND

  IEEE-488 Device Connector Pinout:

   +-
   ! ----       (NOTE:  The pin order may look backwards
   !     ---+      but two references list it as such)
   !  1  13 !
   !  2  14 !
   !  3  15 !      1 - DIO1       9 - IFC        17 - REN
   !  4  16 !      2 - DIO2      10 - SRQ        18 - GND
   !  5  17 !      3 - DIO3      11 - ATN        19 - GND
   !  6  18 !      4 - DIO4      12 - GND        20 - GND
   !  7  19 !      5 - EOI       13 - DIO5       21 - GND
   !  8  20 !      6 - DAV       14 - DIO6       22 - GND
   !  9  21 !      7 - NRFD      15 - DIO7       23 - GND
   ! 10  22 !      8 - NDAC      16 - DIO8       24 - GND
   ! 11  23 !
   ! 12  24 !
   !     ---+
   ! ----
   +-

WHAT IS THE PINOUT FOR THE PET PARALLEL USER PORT

                                 1  1  1
      1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  0  1  2
      =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D
     ### ######################### ######
      =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D
      A  B  C  D  E  F  H  J  K  L  M  N

   1 - System Ground        A - GND
   2 - TV Video             B - CA1
   3 - IEEE-SRQ             C - PB0
   4 - IEEE-EOI             D - PB1
   5 - Diagnostic Sense     E - PB2
   6 - Cass.1 Read          F - PB3
   7 - Cass.2 Read          H - PB4
   8 - Diag Tape Wrt.       J - PB5
   9 - TV Vertical          K - PB6
  10 - TV Horizontal        L - PB7
  11 - GND                  M - PA2 (CB2)
  12 - GND                  N - GND

WHAT IS THE PINOUT FOR THE DATASETTE PORT

      1  2  3  4  5  6
      =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D
     ###### ###########
      =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D  =3D
      A  B  C  D  E  F

   A or 1 - GND
   B or 2 - +5v
   C or 3 - Motor (computer controlled +6v for datasette motor)
   D or 4 - Read line from casette
   E or 5 - Write line cassette
   F or 6 - Cassette Switch Sense (monitors cassette play/ff/rew buttons)

WHERE CAN I GET CONNECTORS THAT FIT THE EXPANSION/CASSETTE/USER/IEEE-488 PO=
RTS?

  An excellent source for PET compatible edgeboard connectors as, the 24pin
  centronics connectors (not to mention just about any other component) is
  DigiKey Corporation:

   DigiKey Corporation
   701 Brooks Ave. South
   Thief River Falls, MN 56701-0677

   (800) 344-4539   www:  http://www.digikey.com

   Call or write and ask for a catalog!

   The parallel and IEEE-488 ports both accept 12/24 edgeboard connectors w=
ith
   .156" contact spacing, the datasette port accept 6/12 connector with .15=
6"
   contact spacing.

  Side Note:  Digikey does not seem to have proper hoods (enclosures)
   available for the edgeboard connectors, which can make it quite a strugg=
le
   to remove the buggers once connected.  I have found that using 1.25" lon=
g
   by 6/32" machine screws fit snugly in the side mounting holes, with a
   matching nut and lock washer it would make a good gripping surface away
   from the sensitive contacts.  These parts can be easily/cheaply found at
   most hardware stores.

                    +---+ Washer & Nut
    Mounting Hole  !!   !!!--------+=20
                   !!   !!!--------+ Screw
                 +--+   !=3D=3D
  Edge Contacts  !      !=3D=3D  Pins


HOW CAN I CONTACT TPUG (TORONTO PET USERS GROUP)?

  TPUG GAVE ME THIS LINK:  http://www.=
icomm.ca/tpug

  OTHER NOTES FROM TPUG:

   Thanks for the plug for TPUG Newsletter.  Over the years we've produced =
The
   TORPET, TPUG NEWS, one more issue of The TORPET, TPUG Magazine, THE
   NEWSLETTER, TPUG Newsletter, one TPUG News Update, and back to TPUG
   Newsletter.  Most recent back issues are still available (singles free,
   batches for the postage cost), and we can photocopy ($.10/page) most of =
the
   earlier ones as needed.  I've put a couple on our web site and more will
   follow.  Your readers might appreciate a link to us at:

      http://www.icomm.ca/tpug

   TPUG has a few cables available (CDN$50 =3D US$35 plus $5 shipping) for =
those
   who don't want to roll their own.

   TPUG also has a few drives (2040s and 3040s upgraded to 4040s, 8050s, 82=
50s,
   2031LPs, etc, around $25) and even some PETs (free but you pay the
   shipping), and occasionally PET printers, modems, serial and parallel
   interfaces, LANs, ... which we'd rather find a good home for than store.=
  We
   also have 4032 circuit diagrams ($5) and lots of information buried away=
.

WHERE CAN I BUY/FIND A PET COMPUTER?

  That is a tough one, in the United States the PETs were pretty popular fo=
r
  schools, almost all of which have been deemed obsolete and have been give=
n
  away, sold or discardrd.

  I bought a bunch through our county's school district auction, after that
  I have received a couple from individual users, and have been fortunate
  to locate a few used computer stores in the area that have had machines
  (ones from a scool) left.

  On-Line internet auctions (such as ebay.com ) regularly sell PETs but the=
ir
  prices may climb way higher then you should expect to pay.  Also shipping
  PETs is an expensive proposition (the lightest is about 35 pounds). =20

  A more direct approach would be to place an ad in your local paper or
  advertiser on looking for old computers.  You may be surprised what you w=
ill
  find.  Also there is the internet, and from time to time I see postings i=
n
  newsgroups like comp.sys.cbm or misc.forsale.computers.other.systems.

  Also join your local users group and let them know you are a PET fan, the=
re
  may be a PET owner in the group or that contacts the group, looking to pa=
ss
  their model into loving hands. I know from experience when you give suppo=
rt,
  you will receive support back.

WHAT IS THE 'BEST PET'?

  That's a matter of opinion, compared to today's computers the PET is abou=
t
  as featureless as you can get, it mainly depends on what you are looking =
for.
  If you have specific programs to run then let the programs will dictate y=
our
  system, as it may be inpossible to find versions to other PET models.

  I will give you these insights though.

  * If you want a 'show model' the original PET gets more attention than th=
e
    later ones - especially if it is operational.  The other small screen u=
nits
    look cool as well, and if you have a jazzy display the 4000/8000 has th=
e
    biggest/brightest screen of the lot.

  * If you want to re-live your childhood playing games and such, the later
    2000, 4000 models are good, the 8000s work well too with the 4032 softw=
are
    to get them into 4000 mode.  Also the 4000 models have built-in speaker=
s
    which may be a factor.

  * If you want to mess with programming/business software, the 8000 models=
 may
    be your best bet, though the 4000 models is up there too, the 4000/8000=
 has
    a tad better speed then the older models.  Also the large screen models=
 are
    much more visible at a distance if you are running a demonstration disp=
lay.

  * For "power PET computing" it would be the SuperPET, it has all the feat=
ures
    of an 8000 as well as ability to run multiple languages.

 Drives:
  TAPE: Nothing is more common on the PET than tape drives, as back then di=
sk
  drives started at $500 and jumped to 1200 for a dual disk model, get a ta=
pe
  drive, it's cheap and it will come in handy.  Of the tape drives experien=
ce
  has shown reliability in this order:
  - 1530 low-profile drive (rarely a problem, I always have one ready)
  - Black Box C2N somewhat durable.
  - Original SANYO deck (the one in the original PETs), except for the belt=
s
    mine still function.
  - Cream Color Box C2N - not sure why but they have the most problems... :=
/
  DISK:
  - 4040/2031/MSD: like the 1541 is the defacto standard for disk drives on=
 the
    64, for the PET are the 4040, 2031, and MSD, as the 4040 was the most s=
old,
    and of course the compatibility with the 1541 format does not hurt eith=
er.
    Note the 4040 and other models are VERY large (as big of footprint as t=
he
    PETs!) if you are looking to save space look for the 2031, 2031 LP, or
    MSD SD1 or 2, these are much smaller.
  - 8050, 8250, SFD-1001, these drives were more in use by business users, =
some
    software may only run on these drives.  Also for many years in the 1980=
s
    these large capacity drives were long sought after by BBS sysops before
    affordable hard drives became available.
  - 9060, 9090, these hard disk drives would be a companion drive to a flao=
ppy
    drive as there is no removalbe disk access, and as far as software supp=
ort,
    it is probably exclusive to business programs, as these drives sold for
    multiple thousands of dollars at the time.
  - 8280 This dual 8" drive would certainly be a show stopper, but as far a=
s
    software we are looking at even a smaller set of business titles that
    support it.
 Printers:
  - The PET printers are not all that feature laden, the also are big, usua=
lly
    quite noisy and slow.  When looking at printers some models are Tractor
    Feed or Friction only, keep that in mind, some are daisy-wheel and
    not dot-matrix, also a factor.  There are a handfull of PET to Parallel=
 or
    RS-232 printer interfaces out there which will allow you to print to a
    generic dot matrix (at the expense of no graphics on most adapters) but
    those may be hard to get as well.

ARE THERE ANY PET COMPUTER EMULATOR PROGRAMS AVAILABLE?

  There are only a few, the first popular one was produced by Commodore for
  the Commodore 64, it is able to run many PET BASIC games with POKE comman=
ds
  properly converted and a little M/L.  It's intent was to help those PET
  owners who upgraded to a 64 back in the early 80s...
  --------------------
  For non-Commodore platforms there is VICE, Versatile Commodore Emulator,
  which runs under Unix or MS-DOS/Windows 95 machines and can emulate:
  -C128
  -C64
  -VIC20
  -PET 2001
  -PET/CBM 3032
  -PET/CBM 4032
  -CBM 8032
  -CBM 8296
  The older 0.11.0 version also emulated the C128's 80 column mode, but
  because of lack of time in development it is not supported any longer
  - i.e. not by the current development team.

  The VICE Site (which includes an FTP section for downloading VICE)
  is located at:
   http://www.cs.=
cmu.edu/~dsladic/vice/vice.html
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