Tyson@SRI-AI.ARPA (06/29/83)
From: Mabry Tyson <Tyson@SRI-AI.ARPA> A few days ago I reported a problem I was having using different colors for text on a new C-64. One person reported having had the problem but not having it after getting a replacement. Another person indicated he has the problem. A couple of others reported they did not have the problem. I went to a Commodore Computer Center today and asked the person on duty. He didn't seem to be technically proficient (ie, a salesman probably) but he said, yes, they do have the problem and there is nothing I can do about it! He demonstrated it on a Hitatchi TV and a color monitor. As he says, there is something in the programmers manual (available for separate purchase only) that indicates this problem - but of course they say it is the TV's fault. I am quite disappointed in this misfeature, nay, BUG. I feel I was misled by advertising that the C-64 has 16 colors of text. It may, but only a few (2?) are usable as continuous text. I suppose I could complain and get my money refunded. However I wanted to warn other potential C64 buyers. A couple of other gripes I have: The manual that comes with the machine does not even acknowledge the existence of any plotting (hi res) ability. It only indicates that you can put text on the screen. The demo programs are all without spaces. Now maybe in some time or space critical program this is necessary (it isn't on the Atari) but in an introductory user's manual???!!! (eg, 10 FORT=ATOM) I typed in 3 demo programs (from the section on sound). All 3 had typos! (P.S. I have never seen this problem with any of the 128 colors possible on my Atari 800 although I doubt I have tried every one for text. Specifically, I don't know if the colors that give the problems on the C64 are colors available on the Atari. Unfortunately, the Atari doesn't show more than 4 colors of text on the screen at once without some hacking. Even then, more than 4 colors on any scan line requires a lot of hacking.) -------
rung@ihuxw.UUCP (07/06/83)
For us potential buyers of the C-64, would you be able to tell us what colors have the problems? The indication seems to be that not all C-64's have the problem. If we can get the salespeople to demonstrate an actual unit, what steps can we go through to see if the unit we are buying is one with the bug? Thanx in advance! Pete Rung BTL, Naperville, Ill.