Denial

I purchased this vic-20 and it came with a couple of surprises. The case (and presumably the motherboard) has been altered. There are two red push buttons on the left side of the case, just below the vic-20 gold stripe.

I have pressed them and can tell that something happens but I have no idea what. I thought that if I plugged in a cartridge it might reset with the command prompt but that was not the case.

Does anyone have an idea what I should try? Have you ever seen a vic modified like this?

Jonathan Andrews

jonathan_d_andrews@comcast.net

Perhaps you could provide some pictures? Seeing where the wires from the buttons connect to the motherboard may help answer your question.

I've seen a lot of VIC's and other 8-bit computers modified with red push buttons like that, but usually there's only one and it's a reset button.

If none of the buttons reset the VIC, then I would love to find out what they do.

Red button? Does the number 3 appear on screen when you press it? If so, it's just the 3 button. Hold CTRL when you press it to get RED.

Kidding. But seriously, I've seen VICs with disabled reset buttons. As if the original owner installed and later removed the mod. I always wondered (if my guess is correct) why someone would do that. Does a reset switch hurt the hardware in any way?

I have not opened up the VIC yet but I will do so and take pictures.

Here you go. It appears the two buttons are connected to the board as in picture 3. 1st and 3rd position on second row.


http://www.plaxo.com/profile/photoViewe ... 4&ps=photo

Reset button where you need to press both buttons, maybe to avoid doing it accidentally?

One reset button and one pause button?

Or maybe one button for 1 and one for 0 for real hardcore binary programming

TNT is correct.

Pin 1 Gnd & 3 (low)reset are taken to the two switches which both have to be pressed to reset.

............... --!-- ... --!--
GND---1 ---o o----o o----3 Reset (low)

Aha. I only saw the first picture...

Well, that's sorted.

Thanks everyone. The two red buttons, held down at the same time, reset the VIC.

Jonathan