Commodore 64 User manual

THE

EDITORS

CONSUMER

GUIDE"

THE

USER'S

GUIDE

COMMODORE

VIC

COMPUTERS,

SOFTWARE,*

PERIPHERALS

LEARN

HOW

USE

YOUR

COMPUTER

1983

Publications

International,

Ltd.

All

rights

reserved.

This

book

may

not

be reproduced

quoted

whole

part

mimeograph

any

other

printed

means

for

presentation

radio,

television,

videotape,

film

without

written

permission

from:

Louis

Weber,

President

Publications

International,

Ltd.

3841

West

Oakton

Street

Skokie,

Illinois

60076

Permission

never

granted

for

commercial

purposes.

Manufactured

the

United

States

America

98765432

Library

Congress

Catalog

Card

Number:

83-62111

ISBN:

0-517-41447-3

This

edition

published

by:

Beekman

House

Distributed

Crown

Publishers,

Inc.

One

Park

Avenue

New

York,

New

York

10016

Writers:

Jim

and

Ellen

Strasma

Educational

Consultant:

Fred

D'lgnazio

Design'

Jeff

Hapner

Photography:

Donna

Preis

and

George

Siede

The

prices

listed

this

book were

accurate

the

time

printing;

prices

are

subject

change.

THE

EDITORS

CONSUMER

GUIDE

THE

USER'S

GUIDE

COMMODORE

VIC

COMPUTERS,

SOFTWARE,

PERIPHERALS

BEEKMAN

HOUSE

New

York

1983

Publications

International,

Ltd.

All

rights

reserved.

This

book

may

not

be reproduced

quoted

whole

part

mimeograph

any

other

printed

means

for

presentation

radio,

television,

videotape,

film

without

written

permission

from:

Louis

Weber,

President

Publications

International,

Ltd.

3841

West

Oakton

Street

Skokie,

Illinois

60076

Permission

never

granted

for

commercial

purposes.

Manufactured

the

United

States

America

98765432

Library

Congress

Catalog

Card

Number:

83-62111

ISBN:

0-517-41447-3

This

edition

published

by:

Beekman

House

Distributed

Crown

Publishers,

Inc.

One

Park

Avenue

New

York,

New

York

10016

Writers:

Jim

and

Ellen

Strasma

Educational

Consultant:

Fred

D'lgnazio

Design'

Jeff

Hapner

Photography:

Donna

Preis

and

George

Siede

The

prices

listed

this

book were

accurate

the

time

printing;

prices

are

subject

change.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

WELCOME

HOME

COMPUTING

using

this

book

to learn

about

your

system,

you

will

well

the

way

many

happy

hours

home

computing.

CHAPTER

GETTING

STARTED

You'll

learn

about

what

you

need

assemble

your

basic

computer

system.

Then

you'll

step-by-step

through

the

details

setting

up.

CHAPTER

MEET

THE

KEYS

Each

and

every

key

your

keyboard

presented

here,

complete

with

exercises

teach

you

how

the

keys

work.

Detailed

photographs

show

you

how

your

screen

will

look

you

work

through

the

exercises.

CHAPTER

PERIPHERALS-

EXPANDING

YOUR

SYSTEM

you

want

your

new

system

even

for

you?

Here's

the

background

informa

tion

you

need

decide

what

additional

equipment

you

might

want

buy.

•

Troubleshooting

Guide

•

List

Commands

CHAPTER

SOFTWARE

Software

programs

also

expand

your

system's

capabilities.

Here

are

some

software

pack

ages

you

might

use

for

various

kinds

purposes.

CHAPTER

YOUR

COMPUTER'S

NETWORK

Many

resources

are

available

help

you

get

the

most

from

your

computer

system.

You

can

all

sorts

information

with

other

computer

users

and

with

national

information

banks

well.

CHAPTER

WELCOME

HOME

COMPUTING

Computers

are

truly

changing

our

world.

Many

people

believe

that

computers

are

creat

ing

revolution

dramatic

the

Industrial

Revolution

several

hundred

years

ago.

One

the

most

amazing

products

our

decade

the

home

computer.

For

a price

that

barely

would

have

bought

calculator

decade

ago,

you

can

now

buy

home

computer

that

powerful than

the

room-filling

computers

just

few

years

ago.

Even

amazing

are

the

uses

that

people

are

finding

for

these

new

computers.

Now

that

you

are

the

proud

owner

VIC

Commodore

home

computer,

you

have

entered

the

exciting

world

computers.

You

will

find

that

learning

use

your

com

puter

not

difficult

you

may

have

thought.

One

the

main

claims

Commodore

makes

about

its

computers

that

they

are

user

friendly.

This

means

that

these

computers

are

simple

use.

You

not

need

to learn

the

hundreds

secret

passwords and

cryptic

commands

that

made

the

early

large

com

puters

difficult

understand.

With

the

VIC

and

Commodore

com

puters,

you

can

use

just

few

simple

instruc

tions

tell

your

computer

what

do.

you

make

mistake,

the

computer

lets

you

know

immediately

and

the

problem

usually

easy

correct.

fact,

because

the

VIC

and

Com

modore

computers

are

simple

use,

you

will feel

confident

knowing

the

basics

after

only

few

hours

using

your

computer!

This

User's

Guide

will

help

you

get

started

using

your

VIC

Commodore

com

puter.

Through

combination

reading

about

your

computer

and

doing

some

simple

exercises,

you

will

learn

how

get the

most

out

your

computer

short

amount

time.

Before

you

begin,

though,

take

few

minutes

learn

about

the

capabilities

your

computer.

MEET

THE

VIC 20

AND

COMMODORE

COMPUTERS

The VIC

and

the

Commodore

com

puters

are

similar

many

ways.

Both

com

puters

use

similar

keyboards

instruct

the

computer

something.

When

you

type

instructions,

you

use

the

same

language

for

both

computers:

Microsoft

BASIC.

This

lan

guage

simply

a set

words

and

phrases

that

your

computer

has

been

programmed

understand.

When

you

type

any

these

words

phrases

(called

commands)

into

the

computer,

automatically

follows

your

instruc

tions.

Both

computers

use

similar

accessories.

and

both

display

messages—yours

and

the

computer's—on

screen

monitor.

The

main

difference

lies

how

much

each

computer

can

do.

Each

computer

has

a certain

amount

memory,

which

allows

store

information.

For

computers,

memory

mea

sured

units

called

bytes.

Bytes

are

mail

box

slots

that

hold

information.

One

byte

holds

one

character

(one

letter,

number,

symbol)

information.

One

kilobyte

[or/CJ

equal

approximately

1,000

bytes.

The

VIC

has

memory,

while

the

64,

quite

aptly,

has

64K

memory.

What

does

this

considerable

difference

memory

mean?

The

larger

the

memory,

the

information

the

computer

can

hold.

The

Commodore

64,

therefore,

can

store

larger

programs

than

the

VIC

can.

program

simply

series

of instructions

that

tells

the

computer

how

perform

specific

tasks—like

keeping

track

of a

budget,

teaching

foreign

language,

playing

game.

You

can

always

add

units

memory

each

computer,

but

the

initial

amount

memory

that

comes

with

each, the

64's

memory

much

larger

than

the

VIC's.

Because

this

differ

ence,

complicated

programs

are

available

for

the

computer

than

for

the VIC.

Both

the

VIC

[which

we'll

simply

call

the

VIC)

and

the

Commodore

(which

we'll

call

the

64J

have

the

capabilities

display

pictures

and

shapes.

This

known

graphics

capabilities.

While

both

computers

are

able

produce

variety

graphics,

the

capable

doing

with

graphics

than

the

VIC.

The

same

true

for

sound.

While

both

com

puters

have

the

capabilities

produce

sound,

can

done

with

sound

the

because

its

larger

memory.

Despite

this

difference

memory,

both

the

VIC

and

the

are

quite

capable

computers

that

can

perform

variety

tasks.

addition,

both

computers

are

able

use

different

colors

(if

you

have

them

hooked

color

monitor).

While

the

can

use

colors

than

the

VIC,

both can

use

enough

colors

make

striking

pictures—important

for

both

interesting

educational

programs

and

exciting

games.

WHAT

CAN

YOU

WITH

YOUR

COMPUTER?

Briefly,

computers

can

two

things:

calculate

and

make

decisions.

the

two,

it is

decision-

making

capabilities

that

set

true

computer

apart

from pocket

calculators.

Let's

say

you

need

something

done.

Can

the

computer

it?

find

out,

see

you

can

describe

your

chore

list

actions

and

decisions.

so,

there

fair

chance

that

computer

can

per

form

the

task.

course,

some

tasks

would

take

time

money

than

they

are

worth. But

don't

let

that

stop

you

from

thinking

about

using

computer

perform

the

task,

History

full

people

doing

the

impossible,

finding

new

solu

tions

age-old

problems.

YOU

CAN

BUY

PACKAGED

SOFTWARE

FOR

YOUR

COMPUTER

FOR

DIFFERENT

PURPOSES

Your

VIC

computer

can

many

things

without

you

having

write

the

instructions

(programs!

yourself.

Since

Commodore

com

puters

have

been

sold to

than

million

people

over

the past

several

years,

you

can

benefit

from

what

others

have

done

with

their

computers.

When

person

figures

out

series

instructions

that

make

the

computer

something

interesting

useful,

the

instruc

tions

can

saved

cassette

floppy

diskette

for

later

use.

You

can then

buy

such

program,

called

software

program,

for

rea

sonable

cost.

Thus

program

that

one

person

has

developed

can

benefit

thousands

peo

ple,

especially

newcomers

who

don't

know

how

write

complicated

programs

but

still

want

use

them.

Most

these

programs

are

easy

use.

Many

give

you

instructions

for

using

the

program

right

the

screen

you

along,

There

are

programs

available

for

many

different

purposes.

You

Can

Use

Planning

and

Budgeting

Programs

There

are

software

programs

available

for

the

VIC and

computers

that

allow

you

make

budgets,

perform

calculations

automatically,

and

use

spreadsheets

right

the

screen.

These

programs

can

used

for

business

pur

poses

simply

figure

out

the

family

budget.

Write

Letters

and

Documents

Word

processing

software

programs

let

you

use

your

computer

typewriter—and

lot

more.

Word

processing

lets

you

type

letters,

documents,

and

reports

into

the

computer.

You

can

view

your

work

the screen

and

make

any

changes

you

want—before

printing

anything

paper.

You

can

also

save

your

work

cassette

diskette

that

you

can

use

again

and

again.

using

word

processing

software with

your

computer,

you

can

easily

correct

mistakes,

move

paragraphs,

adjust

word

spacing.

You

can

give

your

busi

ness

letters

school

papers

the

finished

look

well-printed

books.

And

again,

this

software

available

reasonable

costs

for

your

VIC

computer.

Just

Have

Fun

There

are

variety

games

available

for

your

VIC

computer.

You

will

learn

about

these

games,

well

about

other

types

software

programs

available,

Chap

ter

"Software."

WHAT

COMPUTER

LITERACY?

Imagine

living

before

there

was

public

educa

tion.

Picture

yourself

unable

read,

world

where

people

with

power

and

influence

read

well.

make

knowledge

and

skills

avail

able

everyone,

universal

education

was

made

national

priority.

Literacy—knowing

how

read

and

write—became

essential

most

jobs

and

everyday

living.

Now

need

another

kind

literacy:

com

puter

literacy.

Not

everyone

will

need

learn

how

program

computer,

any

than

everyone

has

mechanic

order

drive

car.

However,

becoming

essential

for

everyone

least

familiar

with

com

puters

and

able

use

them.

The

use

computers

has

increased

dramatically

since

World

War

II,

Now

there

are

computers

cars,

coffee

pots,

and

even

thermostats,

not

mention

computer-like

calculators

and

watches.

Beyond

this,

computers

are

assisting

nearly

every

line

work, both

changing

and

eliminating

many

jobs.

result,

many

people

must

learn

about

computers

only

out

necessity—to

keep

themselves

employable.

COMPUTER

LITERACY

AND

YOU

Now

that

you

have

your

own

computer,

you

can

learn

use

well

and

join

the

world

computer

literacy.

After

some

time

using

other

people's

programs,

you

may

study

their

methods

and

develop

new

ideas

your

own.

Eventually,

you

may

want

write

some

pro

grams

make

your

computer

exactly

what

you

want

do.

You

may

even

able

sell

your

ideas,

and

turn

your

com

puter

into a

business,

thousands

other

people

have

the

past

few

years.

what

are

waiting

for?

Let's

get

startedl

CHAPTER

GETTING

STARTED

addition

your

VIC

64,

there

are

sev

eral

items

you

will

need

order

use the

computer.

The

essential

items

are

discussed

this

chapter.

Other

equipment

that

you

even

tually

may

want

have,

but

that

not nec

essary

for

just

starting

out,

discussed

Chapter

"Peripherals."

YOU

NEED

MONITOR

When

you

use

your

computer,

you

need

screen

which

view

your

messages

the

computer and

the

computer's

messages

you.

you

are

using a

television

set,

you

can

use

either

black-and-white

color

set.

Or,

you

may

prefer

use

special

type

called a

monitor.

For

just

starting

out,

how

ever,

you

may

want

use

your

family

set,

since

this

means

one

less

item

purchase.

Whether

you

use

black-and-white

color

screen

should

depend

your

needs.

Since

one

the

nicest

features

the

VIC and 64

their

use

color,

many

people

prefer

using

color

monitor—especially

for

the

variety

games

and

other

programs

that

use

color.

the

other

hand,

most

your

work

with

text

and

figures,

you

may

want

black-

and-white

monochrome

(single-color)

monitor.

you

need

display

col

umns

the

screen

instead

the

usual

columns

(on

the

VIC)

columns

[on

the

64),

you

will

have

use

black-and-white

monochrome

monitor,

since

color

monitor

cannot

display

than

columns.

For

monochrome

monitors,

the

most

readable

colors

are

amber

and

green.

YOU

NEED

SOFTWARE

When

you

use

your

VIC

itself,

you

are

using the

computer's

hardware.

soon

you

turn

your

computer,

you

can

communi

cate

with

typing

messages

its

lan

guage,

Microsoft

BASIC,

which

built

right

into

the

computer.

When

you

use

program

that

outside

the

computer,

you

are

using

software.

Software

programs

come

three

formats

for

the

VIC

and

64:

cartridges,

cassettes,

and

diskettes.

addition,

when

you

create

your

own

programs

type

letters

and

reports,

you

can

store

your

work

blank

cassette

diskette.

Cartridges:

Self-Contained

Software

Cartridges

are

programs

stored

inside

small

boxes

that

plug

into

the

large

expansion

slot

your

VIC

64.

These

programs

are

com

pletely

self-contained

and

usually

cannot

altered.

When

you

turn

your

computer,

the

instructions

the

program

are

automatically

loaded

(entered)

into

the

computer.

You

may

find

that

cartridges

are

the

easiest

way

start

using

your

computer.

However,

cartridge

pro

grams

are

relatively

expensive

(about

S25

per

program

for

most

games).

The

computer

must

turned

off

when

car

tridge

put

taken

out.

When

you

plug

the

cartridge

your

choice

and

turn

your

VIC

64,

the

computer

automatically

turned

over

the

cartridge's

program—the

computer

cannot

anything

else.

When

you

want

save

your

own

work

for

later

use,

however, your

best

bet

cassette

diskette.

This

because

you

cannot

buy

blank

cartridges

store

information

pro

grams.

And

you

are

allowed

save

your

work

program

cartridge,

there

usually

not

much

storage

space

available.

Cassettes:

For

Commercial Programs

and

Your

Own

Work

When

buying

commercial

software

programs,

cassettes

are

the

least

expensive

type

soft

ware

buy,

ranging

price

from

about

S30

per

cassette.

You

will

need

cassette

player

use

cassettes.

The

cassette

player

lets

you

load

programs

from

cassette

into

the

computer.

also

lets

you

record

information

you've

put

into

the

computer

onto

cassette.

you

are

using

cassettes,

you

will

most

likely

want

get

Commodore's

Model

1530

Datas-

sette

tape

recorder.

Although

works

ordinary

cassette

recorder,

the

Datassette

cords

information

digitally,

which

prevents

any

kind

electronic

interference

(radio

waves

microwaves,

for

example) from

altering

your

programs

when

you

send

them

from

the

cas

sette

the

computer.

also

sends

your

pro

grams

greater

speed

than

regular

cassette

player,

and

tends

much

precise.

Software

formats

for

the VIC

and

64:

cartridges,

cassettes,

and

diskettes.

Datassette

recorder,

used

with

cassettes

for

the VIC

and

64.

Datassette

recorder

costs

approximately

$75,

compared

the

S35

$45

cost

for

reg

ular

recorder.

However,

because

its

advan

tages,

many

people

consider a

Datassette

worth

the

investment.

You

can

purchase

Datassette

most computer

stores.

you

already

have

good

cassette

recorder

and

you

don't

mind

connecting

few

extra

cables,

you

can

get

interface

connect

your

recorder

your

VIC

64.

The

cassette

interface

cable

that

serves

adapter

between

the

computer

and

standard

cas

sette

player.

changes

the

type

electrical

impulse

that

the

two

pieces

equipment

can

communicate.

Suitable

adapters

are

sold

most

stores

that

sell

computer

equipment.

Diskettes:

Storage,

Higher

Cost

Diskettes

(sometimes

called

floppy

disks

sim

ply

disks)

look

thin

stereo

records.

Pro

grams

are

stored

the

magnetic

surface

the

disk

inside

the

protective,

nonremovable

jacket.

When

you

buy

commercial

software

programs

diskettes,

these

programs

typi

cally

cost

about

than

cassette

programs.

you

are using

diskettes,

you

also

need

Commodore

disk

drive.

disk

drive

the

stereo

on which

you

play

your

records.

The

disk

head

inside

the

drive

goes

directly

the

program

that

you

want

run—much

stereo

needle.

program

into

the

computer

from

disk

drive

much

faster

than

program

from

cassette

player.

Commodore

disk

drive,

used

with

diskettes

for

the

VIC

and

64.

Although

blank

diskettes

(for

storing

your

own

data

and

programs)

are

relatively

inexpensive,

blank

diskettes

still

cost

about

three

times

much

blank

cassettes.

The

disk

drive

itself

costs

hundreds

dollars.

the long

run,

however,

diskettes

may

save

you

money.

Disk

programs

certainly

have

their

advantages.

First,

they

are

much

faster

load

into

the

computer.

Second,

they

are

reliable:

every

program

saved

diskette

auto

matically

verified,

make

sure that

the

copy

matches

the

original.

[Doing

this

with

cas

sette

takes

extra

steps.)

And

third,

each

disk

ette

can

hold

twenty

programs,

opposed

the

recommended

one

program

each

side

of a

cassette.

Therefore

you

will

need

fewer

diskettes

because

they can

hold

more.

you

create

lot

your

own

pro

grams

store

lot

information,

diskettes

may

cheaper

and

manageable

than

cassettes

the

long

run.

Why

Not

Use

Both

Cassettes

and

Diskettes?

Eventually,

you

may

want

have

both

disk

drive

and

cassette

recorder.

You

can

use

the

disk

drive

for

your

own

programs

and

those

sold

exchanged

diskette,

but

hang

the

cassette

recorder

for

the

many

programs

available

only

cassette.

This

ends

our

list

essential

equipment

for

your

computer.

You'll

read

about

other

often-

used

gear

Chapter

"Peripherals."

You'll

also

learn

about

buying

and

using

soft

ware

programs

Chapter

"Software."

WHAT

COMPONENTS

COME

WITH

YOUR

COMPUTER?

Your

computer

comes

with

the

following

components:

•

The computer

keyboard

console,

which

con

tains

the

keyboard

and

the

circuitry

that

runs

the

computer.

•

TV/game

switch

box,

which

allows

you

use

the

either

or as

screen

for

your

computer.

•

modulator

(FOR

THE

VIC

ONLY],

which

you

connect

both

the

computer

and

the

TV.

The

modulator

converts

the

VIC's

video

output

into a signal

that

most

TVs

can

understand.

(The

modulator

for

the

built

into

the

computer.)

•

hook-up

cable,

which

connects

the

TV/

game

switch

box

the

modulator

{ON

THE

VICJ

or to

the

computer

[ON

THE

64).

•

power

connector

box,

which

connects

the

computer

and

electrical

outlet.

This

component

gives

the

computer

the

power

run.

•

instruction

book

and

some

important

papers.

Don't

lose

any

these,

especially

the

warranty

card.

anything

goes

wrong

with

your

computer

during

the

first

three

months

you

have

it,

your

dealer

may

give

you

another

trade,

long

you

can

prove

when

and

where

you

bought

it.

You

will

also

need

television

monitor,

which

lets

you

view

what

you

type

into

the

computer,

well

the

computer's

responses

you.

Now

it's

time

get

started.

The

few

pages

will

show

you

how

set

your

computer.

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