Commodore Plus/4, unboxing and disappointment

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I wasn't sure I wanted to publish this video, also because, in the end, I felt a huge DISAPPOINTMENT! Towards the middle of the video I start to be less cheerful! Here is the unboxing of a Commodore Plus/4 that I bought on eBay ... with ... disappointment!

Some time ago, I bought, on eBay, a Commodore Plus/4. I had wanted to have one for my collection for a long time.

I found an assignment on interesting eBay: a commodore plus/4, PAL version, tested and working. The starting price was a bit high, but the seller, kindly, he granted me a discount. Despite the discount, international transport and import fees, they still had the price rise.

Technical characteristics of the Commodore Plus/4

The Commodore Plus/4 comes with 64KB of RAM and 64KB of ROM. Depending on the version, it can have a MOS 7501 or MOS 8501 processor at 1.77MHz (in the PAL version).
In the internal ROM there are also productivity software (a word processor, a spreadsheet and a database manager). The home screen is very similar to that of the Commodore 16, with 60671 bytes free against the 12277 of the Commodore 16.

Unboxing the Commodore Plus/4, packaging tips.

The computer arrived to me more than a month and a half later, compared to the arrival date estimated by eBay. If only for the wait, I wouldn't have been too angry. Unfortunately, however, the problem was not only the delay in delivery of the Commodore Plus/4.

The package was not packed very well. Typically, when I buy vintage hardware, I always ask the seller to leave different space between the edge of the computer and the box. In this case it has not been done, even if expressly requested.

Why do I ask to leave so much space (filled with packaging) between the computer and the edge of the box?

Because, when the box takes a blow, being more space, the blow is amortized by the packaging (pluriballs, polystyrene, chips, etc ...), rather than reaching the computer.

I recommend leaving space (at least 2-3 centimeters) on all 6 sides of the box, even the lower and upper one. The space must be filled with packaging elements. The box must therefore have a suitable size, as well as considerable strength.

Try the tensions of the power supply, Pinout of the PULSO/4 Commodore Power connector

I have already explained how to test the voltages of vintage computer power supplies in this article. It is also possible to test them under load, I talked about it in this article. The proof of the power supply is to be done without connecting the computer.

During the test of tensions. The Fuses of the Commodore Plus/4 power supply was burned immediately. I replaced it with another, from 250th delayed (T250ma).

The power supply of the Commodore Plus4 has two tensions: 5V in continuous current and 9V in alternating current. On the alternate there is ample tolerance. Employment, even 10.5v can be tolerable. The continuous voltage should be as close as possible to 5.2V.

Here is the arrangement of the feet of the power steering wheel connector.

In the specific case, the power supply has an English power plug, so I used the Bronson ++ VT-300 adapter that I had already used for the Commodore PET.

Test the back computer

Unfortunately, although the power supply provides the correct tensions, the Commodore Plus/4 does not give signs of life. The red power led lights up, but the monitor remains without an image.

This bothered me a lot. But how is this possible? Can a seller write "tested and working" if the computer is not working? What did you test? Just the fact that the red power light comes on? In short: I took a nice rip off on eBay.

I will try to get a refund ...

Credits: in the unboxing video, the SID music is that of the kikstart II video game.

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