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hardware_faq [2026/02/09 22:53] – [Micro Tom] walterhardware_faq [2026/02/16 21:34] (current) – [Build-it-Yourself] walter
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   * Atari wireless CX78+ Gamepad Controller. It also has an USB dongle for use on PC. - The mini joystick on the D-pad can be removed   * Atari wireless CX78+ Gamepad Controller. It also has an USB dongle for use on PC. - The mini joystick on the D-pad can be removed
     * https://atari.com/products/cx78-wireless-gamepad-emea     * https://atari.com/products/cx78-wireless-gamepad-emea
 +  * A Sega Master System controller (two button)
 +    * It will work on the C64 and is safe to use. The second button will ground one of the paddle inputs, which does not cause harm as it’s designed to read a voltage input (ground=0V)
   * **Not yet available** but in the works; Protopad from Protovision   * **Not yet available** but in the works; Protopad from Protovision
     * https://www.protovision.games/shop/protopad/protopad.php     * https://www.protovision.games/shop/protopad/protopad.php
  
-<wrap hi>Do not use an (unmodified) Sega Genesis controller.</wrap>The plug fits and it works, but the internal wiring differs and will damage your port.  +== Sega Genesis Controller == 
 +<wrap hi>Do not use Sega Genesis controller.</wrap>The plug fits and it works, but the internal wiring differs and will damage your port. 
  
 +Pin 7 on the Megadrive is the ground, while Pin 7 on the C64 is +5V. So pressing the controller pad would connect 5V to places where it shouldn’t be. There are electronics inside the controller to multiplex the buttons and it is possible that would be damaged too.
  
 ==== Joystick ==== ==== Joystick ====
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      * https://www.ebay.com/itm/257183359134      * https://www.ebay.com/itm/257183359134
      * https://www.8bitdo.com/retro-receiver-genesis-mega-drive/       * https://www.8bitdo.com/retro-receiver-genesis-mega-drive/ 
 +===== DB9-to-Bluetooth adapter =====
 +  * joystick adapter for C64.  Supports modern controllers with low latency and dual joystick mode.
 +    * https://phol-labs.com/product/phl-unibt-c64-smd-unijoysticle-ii/
 +
 ===== Build-it-Yourself ===== ===== Build-it-Yourself =====
 ==== Can I make my own C64 to joystick/gamepad/mouse adapter? ==== ==== Can I make my own C64 to joystick/gamepad/mouse adapter? ====
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 ====== Internal storage ====== ====== Internal storage ======
 //Do not forget; typical Commodore 64 software is very, very small. Look at the included 'usb cassette' and how much space is still free to guide you how much you need// //Do not forget; typical Commodore 64 software is very, very small. Look at the included 'usb cassette' and how much space is still free to guide you how much you need//
 +
 +Storage can be added by means of an SD-card or via the USB-port. The speed of the USB port is about 10 MB/s. The SD card is working in 1-bit SPI mode at 25 Mbps (3.125 MB/s), thus this is more then 3x slower than USB.
 +
 +Extreem usage test;
 +  * Load 16MB REU file from internal micro SD card (64GB SanDisk XC Ultra Class 10) :17 seconds 
 +  * Load  the same file from external USB thumb drive (Kingston 64GB USB3)  : 3 seconds
 +
 +Note that 16MB is huge in this context. So while USB is certainly faster as you will typically load much small files the difference will be less extreme. 
  
 ===== SD-card ===== ===== SD-card =====
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 [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0bFMNdPQ9w|Youtube video showing to install the SD card]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0bFMNdPQ9w|Youtube video showing to install the SD card]]
 +===== USB-stick =====
 +Obviously you can just plug any USB mass storage device in the USB port. Like the included USB-stick (cassette). 
 +
 +Some USB-sticks have a build in light, that you may or may not wish to have it. Especially if you plug it in the internal USB-A port and you have a translucent case.
 +
 +It would make sense to buy for this purpose a mini USB-A stick. That looks like one of those dongles for a wireless mouse. - This instead of the traditional stick.
 +
 ===== Adding an NVMe SSD  ===== ===== Adding an NVMe SSD  =====
 Inside the C64U is an internal USB-A port. The top port works. You can buy an NVMe enclosure, put an 2230 M.2. NVMe SSD inside it. And hook it up with an short USB-A to USB-C cable. **This way you can have several terabyte of internal storage in your C64U**. - Consider using something to secure it inside. Like double sided tape so it will not move around or maybe damage anything.\\ Inside the C64U is an internal USB-A port. The top port works. You can buy an NVMe enclosure, put an 2230 M.2. NVMe SSD inside it. And hook it up with an short USB-A to USB-C cable. **This way you can have several terabyte of internal storage in your C64U**. - Consider using something to secure it inside. Like double sided tape so it will not move around or maybe damage anything.\\
hardware_faq.1770677580.txt.gz · Last modified: by walter