Message-ID: <4581@ucbvax.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 4-Feb-85 01:26:48 EST
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.4581
Posted: Mon Feb  4 01:26:48 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 4-Feb-85 05:44:10 EST
References: <691@inuxd.UUCP>
Organization: University of California at Berkeley
Lines: 45

> and received what sounded like a recording--"Mail the unit along 
> with $55"--the bimbo didn't know as much as I do--so what's she 
> doing answering the phone at Customer Support?  I also asked Customer 
> Service about repair possibilities here in Indianapolis.  They gave me
> two numbers, one of which is out of service, and the other a
> radio place that doesn't now, and never has, repaired computers.
> 
> So, I decided to fix the little sucker good, so I know I'm going
> to FOR SURE get a whole new unit for my $55.  I started sticking
> my screwdriver into places no screwdriver needed to go, and found
> the problem--joystick port 1, the middle pin on the top (at
> least, if you touch that pin, the cursor doesn't keep moving).  I 
> can't fix it, you understand.  But I had a real good time hitting it.
> (One reply suggested I hit it against my hand--a good idea if
> something is just stuck.)  Since I was prepared to trash it,
> anyway, I started doing some creative hitting.  If you hit it in
> some places, the display screen goes blank blue.  If you hit it
> another place, the display screen goes blank black.  If you hit
> it in still another place, the display says "LOAD PRESS PLAY ON
> TAPE."  Another hit stops the cursor, but doesn't allow any input
> from the keyboard.  All of the hits were satisfying to me.
> 
> My poor C64 (and 55 of my dollars) has left for the motherland.
> Thanks to all of you for your help.  I'll let you know how long 
> it takes to get my returned unit.

	One minor problem with your solution, Commodore takes WEEKS to act on
	such repairs.... A number of people in this area have had C64's at 
	Commodore for months now. A better solution would have been to find
	someone who can re-solder your joystick port. Or buy a new computer
	($110) [no jokes about 'disposible' computers PLEASE!]. Or you could
	have sent the computer to a private repair firm. The last is probably
	the best... a person named 'Bruce Takahashi' does excellent repairs
	fast, and will do mail order. He has repaired computers and drives
	from as far away as Florida and Maine. Maximum labor charge $35,
	next day service (usually) and 3 Month waranty on repairs. So far
	he has a %100 repair record. I will post the address and phone
	number as soon as I go back home and look it up.
	Another thing... If you have a C64 to return to Commodore remove the
	VIC, SID and PAL chips from it first, repair personel have very much
	trouble finding those and Commmodore charges a arm and a leg for
	them when avalible.
	 
		   -Bryce Nesbitt using "the Sheriff's account"