Case Mod - In Progress Commodore PET 2001-32 N

This my first mod, and something I've wanted to do for a while.

The donor is a non-working Commodore PET 2001-32 N, from around 1978. She's going to be upgraded to something a little more modern.

I'll either build a full PC, or insert an Intel NUC / Mac Mini (or both).

I guess this is a slightly different mod to many, as I want to keep the case as original as possible. This probably rules out the full PC route as I will need to make too many big holes in the case for cooling and power.

The case is in great shape, as is the keyboard.

Of course, it will be simple to stick a NUC inside. The challenges will be to have a great looking screen, get the keyboard working as USB, get the power switch in the right place and little things like that.

I've only ever seen one PET PC. It did not look so great. I'm sure there are others.

Second attempt of linking to image...

 

I grew up on Commodores. Subbed!

 

Sorry man,Clive got my monies..

48....Cheesecake.

 

C64. you never forget your first computer.

 

cannot see the photo

 

Behold:



Isn't she a thing of retro-gorgeousness? Good times, man, good times...


(He image-linked the web page address of the photo instead of the link listed under the photo. There's a small difference between the two. )

 

Probably the first game I ever played was quest (text adventure) on a pet built by my neighbours dad.

The sole reason I play games today.

 

Project Update

The donor has now been stripped-down and cleaned. The keyboard is in pristine condition - looks like it is straight from the factory. The "Commodore PET" sticker is also mint. The case has some marks but is in great original condition.



Parts are starting to arrive.

A 9" LCD monitor from eBay. No instructions, so I've no idea what the buttons of connectors do. The ribbon cable seems a bit temperamental - but it works and looks fine.



I ordered a custom, laser-cut, bezel. It's arrived; but was broken in the post...what's worse, it's a perfect fit except for the small measuring error on the cut-out. I followed the "measure twice" rule; however, in my case, it should have been to get someone else to measure...aggghhh! time to order another.



I've ordered a Mac Mini, for mounting inside. I'm still not sure whether to go down the Mac route, or to put a NUC inside. If you know your Commodore/Apple history, a Mac would be quite a fitting choice.

 

Very very cool Subbed!

 

With a stroke of luck, I've found someone who is able to supply a USB Keyboard Controller. These are usually for Commodore 64s; however, Dave has very kindly programmed the firmware for the 2001-32 N keyboard.

So thanks to Tynemouth Software for helping me out.

 

Excellent. The keyboard on the PET is really good. I'm glad you're able to use it.

 

There's still plenty to do, tidying up the internals, but she's fired-up and looking the part. No external case-mods, and a fully (as much as there are keys available) working keyboard.

She's powered by an Intel NUC and I'm sure this is the first (and maybe only ever) Commodore PET to be running Windows 10...



Of course, she could not be complete, without that retro look. Here she is, running the excellent VICE PET Basic Emulator from http://vice-emu.sourceforge.net/

 

That is so cool.

 

Lol this got me thinking about my commodore which is long gone.
Are you going to give it a paintjob ?

 

Paintjob? Noooooooooooooo

 

Awesome stuff! Love it!!

 

thank you for this very loosely "upgrade" on such a old beautiful piece of hardware, havent seen the PET 2001 before but i LOVE it

 

Retrotastic!

 

Awesome. Since my bad eyesight can be traced back to a C64 portable with a 5" screen, I hope you don't make this setup your daily driver.

 

FTFY
Ah, the days of the SX64. The first portable computer I ever used