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Good morning guys and welcome back to the ValorosoIT channel.
Today we're doing a nice unboxing of a computer... which I ordered on eBay and would like to keep in the office, on display together with the other Commodores.
This is also a Commodore and it is... listen, listen... a Commodore SX-64! I found it on eBay. The price was interesting. Now I'll show you the order on eBay first and then we'll go and unbox this computer. Let's see what's inside.
In the meantime, I remind you if you like my videos, to like and share it with your friends. This way we manage to spread the passion for retro computers. You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel and activate the notification bell. I remind you that I also have a blog: www.valoroso.it where you can find, all organised, summaries of the various videos I make, experiments, reviews and unboxings.
On eBay, I found this offer, of this Commodore SX64 (executive). There were no other bidders: I was the only one. Furthermore, I saw that the advert was expiring soon. I just had time to look for it and the advert would have expired in an hour. So I hurried and kept an eye on her for a while. I made my offer, which was then not surpassed by anyone else. So I got this Commodore SX64.
It's a nice computer, at least that's what it seems from the advert, described as being in 'perfect condition' and working.
The only thing is that it has no keyboard. This actually makes me a little sad. The seller put an interface to connect the Commodore 64 keyboard to the SX-64, so I will try it that way. But I plan to look for this keyboard in the future. Maybe some of you have it: you have a broken Commodore SX64, you want to sell it in pieces, you have a keyboard... I'm here! Here, if you want to sell it to me, I'm here! So I can also complete this Commodore SX-64.
From the photos in the listing, you can see that the computer is in good condition. It has been tested, you can see the monitor turned on with different screens. So, in short, I trust that everything will go well as it should.
Delivery took a few days. Not so much, actually, because the seller is Italian. So the package traveled on national territory. As the seller himself suggested to me, if I had received the package with scratches or dents, I should have accepted it with 'subject to verification' and so I did.
In fact, if you notice here... and here... there are two small dents and so I did that. As soon as the courier arrived, I had the verification reserve placed. So now let's open this package together, while we make the video, let's see what condition this Commodore SX-64 is in. Obviously I hope it's perfect because, honestly, having another experience like the Commodore Plus/4, well... I'm not that keen. I prefer everything to be perfect, so I can try it out and see if it works. And one day, why not, find the missing keyboard. Apart from these two dents, the package is in fair condition.
I don't understand if this crease was already there when it was shipped. We will ask the seller. But, in short, we hope that the back computer is in good condition inside.
There is no other obvious damage to the box. Well, honestly, I would have expected a box of slightly more generous dimensions, because I like to leave a lot of space between the computer and the edge of the box. However, I don't rule out that the seller did it. Let's open it and see what's inside.
And here it is! A record. And here is the computer! A power cable and another cable, I think it's the keyboard one. I see this part here... which seems to have returned.
This plastic part appears to have entered the inside of the computer case. In fact, if you see it from above, it appears a little crooked. And here it must have also crumbled... I don't know... a curl of plastic was created, probably due to this blow here.
Eeehhh... these computers... it's almost a shame to buy them, at this point, if they have to arrive with all these problems caused by transport. Another curl... plus another... Now let's turn it.
The front came out a little like this, can you see it?
When I have to make these unboxing videos I'm always a bit tense and then there's always something that displeases me. There is always something that displeases.
I need to stop buying on eBay. Then you're sorry because they are computers of a certain value, they are computers that you have wanted for a long time.
Above you can see two small teeth. Perhaps, when this plastic part came in, it slightly sized the chassis. Let's look at it sideways.
From the side the computer also has some flaws. In addition to this piece of plastic having retracted inside the metal, this hinge has also come off a little. I think the whole piece of plastic broke at this point. Having been pushed backwards, this piece here broke off, because on the other side, however, it is in this condition. Wait while I turn on the computer.
On the other side you see that everything is perfect. All straight. However, on the side where he took the blow, everything is a bit wrong.
Let's see the accessories. This is the adapter to connect the Commodore 64 keyboard to this Commodore SX64 (executive). And this is the power cable, nice and tied up.
Now, the computer had to be tested and working, so, aside from this knock it took, let's try turning it on. Let's see if it really works. We also connect a Commodore 64 keyboard
There you have it, a nice Commodore 64 keyboard! You see here, on the connector, that there is this contact that is closed, in short, there is no hole. And the same here, on the adapter, there is a part where the pin is not located. So the keyboard can only be inserted in one way, which is this one.
In this hole here is the keyboard connector. Maybe you can't see it very well from the video, but just put this connector here, in this position, to connect it.
Shall we turn it on? Behind the computer, the switch is already ON (1). Just power the plug via the power strip. There is a switch on my power strip: I turn that on and the voltage goes directly to the computer. Ready? Go! No... Nothing starts... You can't even hear the sound of the floppy...
Let's try to check the fuse. It looks good to the eye, but we try it with the tester. Good fuse. We can do another test, again with the tester. We put it in alternating voltage and see if there is voltage in the cable. There is voltage in the connector. Let's connect. Meanwhile I look from the other side. Nothing.
How sad, though! Nothing. Probably, during transport it will have taken a few harder hits than expected. And this dent that can be seen on the outside, this part that has fallen back, is probably just one of the effects that blow had.
And here we are with this other half-disappointment or complete disappointment, I don't know what to call it.
Another computer that I ordered on eBay, on which I had a certain reliance because, in short, it was tested, working, complete with photos, which can be seen in the advert. Shipped by a reliable seller, who also wrote to me: 'be careful, if the package arrives with even a small amount of damage, accept it subject to verification'. So I did, but I received this computer which, evidently, took a hit on the front, as we saw before, and which, moreover, doesn't start... so it doesn't even turn on!
The question is: do you think I'm unlucky?
Then, it's not like they're two euro computers, that's what I mean. I had found, as many people say: 'ah, I found a 50 euro Commodore, out of the rubbish bin'. Oh well, it works, it doesn't work...
But here you saw the amount I had to spend at the beginning. Which, for an SX64, is evidently a good figure considering current times. Of course, ten years ago, I also know, it could be bought with much less money. However, for 2022 it is still an interesting figure... but it had to work! This too!
And the Commodore Plus4, which doesn't work, and this one too! I stop buying! Enough, enough! Now I don't buy anything anymore, because I'm fed up!
You buy something... then... it's not that I don't know how to fix these things. Maybe, if I get behind it, with a few hours of work... the spare parts inside are probably those of a Commodore 64, hoping there's nothing on the monitor, obviously! But… it's hard, it's hard!
Sorry for the outburst, sorry for the outburst. However, I feel bad when these things happen.
Let's do this: anyway, I'll take some photos of this computer and put them on my website www.valoroso.it, you can go and look for them, you'll see photos of my computers, of my collections and the summary of what we said to each other, now, in the video!
What can I say guys, see you next time!
Ciao!