From: erd@kumiss.cmhnet.org (Ethan Dicks)
Subject: Commodore PET - usage and software
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: 14 Nov 92 00:03:14 EDT
Organization: Not an Organization

> In <11408@spark.ed.ac.uk>, roger@cogsci.ed.ac.uk (Roger Burroughes) writes:
>	A request for those who wish to wallow in nostalgia...

The best place for "nostalgia" questions is alt.folklore.computers, if
your site receives the alt hierarchy.  Folklore questions are always
welcome.

>	I have recently acquired a couple of old CBM machines (which
>look like PETs, but don't have "PET" anywhere on the casing) - a model
>3032 and a model 4016, plus a 2031 disk drive, Commodore cassette, and
>Commodore 4022 printer. Unfortunately there are no manuals with them
>at all :-( 

Most "PET"s didn't have the word "PET" on them.  The 3032 is a
European PET of which I know almost nothing about except to
suggest that it has 32K of RAM.  The 4016 is a 40 column PET with 16K
of RAM.  The 2031 disk drive is an IEEE-488 version of the 1540 (both
have CBM DOS 2.5).  I know nothing about the 4022 printer.  The tape
drive is completely compatible with all Commodore 8-bit machines,
including the VIC-20 and C-64.

>	Could some kind soul let me know what commands I need to
>use to save and retrieve files from disk and cassette? Are the
>commands for saving and loading BASIC files the same as for m/code
>Printer commands would be handy too...

The same commands are used on the PET as the C-64 and VIC-20... i.e.

LOAD"$",8
SAVE"MYPROG",8

The printer is probably device 4, the 2031 is probably device 8.  The
tape drive is either device 1 or 2, depending upon which of the two
tape connectors is used (internal or external).

If you have a "BASIC 4" machine (check the version at power-up time),
there are additional commands to BASIC which will make the use of
disks easier.  The old commands still work.

>	I must admit that these machines are not exactly the sort I'm
>used to :-) Any help would be appreciated. By the way, does anyone
>know if it's possible to move memory chips from one machine to the
>other? 

The newest PETs used the "universal PET board", characterized by
4116 DRAMs and a built-in piezo buzzer.  The machines chirped when
powered on.  Your 4016 may or may not be one.  I don't know about
the 3032.  PETs came with two kinds of RAMs... the oldest PETs
came with BASIC 1.0 and either 4Kb or 8Kb of static RAM on the 
motherboard (5101 or 2101 chips) - they could be expanded to 32K
or RAM, but only with an add-in board.  The later PETs came with
either 16Kb or 32Kb of DRAM (4116 chips) and BASIC 2.0 or BASIC 4.0.
The cost differential for a 32Kb model over a 16Kb model was
several hundred dollars more than the cost of 8 4116 chips.  As a
result, Commodore punched holes in the PCB where the upper 16Kb
went; this prevented people from buying the cheap PETs and upgrading
the memory themselves.  I have heard that it is possible to repair
the damage done by the hole punch, but I have never tried it.

In short, while you probably can move the chips from one machine to
the other, you may find that the chips themselves are soldered
or that the board may not be able to take them.  4116 chips are only
a couple of bucks each, IF YOU CAN FIND THEM.

-ethan

--
Ethan Dicks     N8TVD ! This message is brought to you by the breakfast cereal
erd@kumiss.cmhnet.org ! of Pennsic Veterans everywhere: Beerios.
                      ! "They don't stay crisp in beer, but who cares?" 

Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm