C64 OS GETTING STARTED GUIDE
Step 1. Requirements:
What You Need to Run C64 OS
C64 OS lives to take advantage of new hardware that you can add to your Commodore 64. It starts with mass storage, but that's just the beginning.
If you missed it, checkout the showcase of C64 OS + Hardware Collections. These example combinations show a range of hardware expansions from the simplest necessary to get more out of your C64 with C64 OS, to more advanced hardware that looks great and provides more opportunities that C64 OS can take advantage of.
Your hardware investments are made better and more powerful with C64 OS.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
- A Commodore 64 computer
- A Joystick
- An SD2IEC drive* **
* C64 OS can access all your floppy disk drives, but a mass-storage device with support for native CMD-style subdirectories is required for the system drive. Check out the Commodore 8-Bit Buyer's Guide for a wide range of mass storage devices commercially available for the C64.
** An SD2IEC is the least expensive of the supported storage device families. But, an IDE64 or CMD HD or RamLink can be used in place of an SD2IEC.
An Epyx FastLoad Reloaded cartridge or other speedloader that SD2IEC supports is a practical requirement for reasonable load times.
Recommended Hardware
- A Commodore 64, C64c, Ultimate 64, C128 or C128D computer
- A 1351 mouse or compatible adapter
- An IDE64, SD2IEC, CMD HD or RamLink
- A 17xx REU or compatible
- JiffyDOS KERNAL ROM*
- A ZiModem WiFi Modem (support coming in the future)
* An Epyx FastLoad Reloaded cartridge or other speedloader that SD2IEC supports can be used as an alternative to JiffyDOS, but C64 OS boots nearly 2X as fast with JiffyDOS as it does with FastLoad.
Alternative Requirements
C64 OS can also be installed in the VICE emulator, and use VICE's support for an emulated 1351 mouse and CMD HD.
- A Mac or PC
- VICE version 3.5 or greater
Step 2, 3 and 4. Video Demo Quick Start
If you are using an SD2IEC drive and want to use C64 OS directly from your original System Card, this video demonstration walks through steps 2, 3 and 4. Installation setup, first-run configuration, and booting up for the first time.
Video Demo Quick Start (8 minutes)
Installation setup, Configuration, Booting up.
Continue reading below for a more detailed explanation of these three steps. Consult the complete online User's Guide, Chapter 2: Installation for the full explanation with more options.
Step 2. Installation: How to Install C64 OS
Make a Backup First
A commercial copy of C64 OS ships on an SD Card called the System Card. If you have a Mac or PC, you should make a backup of the contents of the System Card first. Insert the card into an SD Card slot on your Mac or PC and copy all the files and directories to a folder on another device for safe keeping.
Backups are for your personal use only. Help support software development on the Commodore 64, and don't share your backups. Developers — OpCoders Inc.
C64 OS can be installed on three main families of devices: SD2IEC, IDE64 or a CMD HD or RamLink. Follow the instructions for the device family you are installing to.
For installation on VICE, see Chapter 2: Installation of the C64 OS User's Guide.
Installation on SD2IEC
If you have an SD2IEC and you want to use it as your C64 OS system drive, the System Card comes ready for use on your C64. Insert the card into your SD2IEC device.
Load and run "c64os" from the SD2IEC device. It does not have to be device #8.
This runs the C64 OS Setup Tool.
C64 OS is already installed on the System Card, but the booter needs to be set up for the correct device #, partition # and system directory name. Press "c" to set up the installed location.
Press RETURN to accept the default values for device # and partition #. Press RETURN to accept the default of "os" for the system directory name. To confirm that these are correct and continue, press "y".
As the final option, press "q" to Quit to BASIC.
Although C64 OS is ready to be booted, some configuration is recommended for your specific hardware before you boot C64 OS for the first time. This is described in the configuration section below.
Installation on IDE64
The System Card contains two copies of C64 OS. One copy is already installed on the System Card, ready for use on the C64 with an SD2IEC. The second copy is in the form of an installation archive file and the installer tools.
If you have an SD2IEC but prefer to install C64 OS to IDE64, you can use SD2IEC to transfer the installation files to IDE64.
If you do not have an SD2IEC, you can transfer the files from Mac or PC to IDE64 via PCLink. Consult the IDE64 User's Guide for further information about using PCLink to transfer files.
Note about PCLink
If you use PCLink, you must run the ideservd server program with the -P or --allprg option. This ensures that the files transfer to your IDE64 as PRG type files.
C64 OS must be installed in the root directory of an IDE64 partition. Transfer the four files from the root directory of the System Card to the root directory of the partition on your IDE64 where you want to install C64 OS. Only two directory entries need to remain in the root directory after installation is complete.
| Filename | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| c64os | C64 OS booter. | Transfer to root directory of IDE64 partition. |
| c64os setup | Installation setup program. | Transfer to root directory of IDE64 partition. |
| restore.car | Installation archive file. | Transfer to root directory of IDE64 partition. |
| c64restore | Installer program. | Transfer to root directory of IDE64 partition. |
Note about File Types
Confirm that all four files are of type PRG on the IDE64 before proceeding. If they are not PRG type files, something went wrong and installation will not proceed correctly.
Load and run "c64os" from the IDE64 device. It does not have to be device #8.
This runs the C64 OS Setup Tool.
Press "f" to begin a fresh installation.
Press RETURN to accept the default device #. Press RETURN to accept the default partition # and proceed with the installation. The default device and partition numbers are autodetected as the current device and partition when the Setup Tool was loaded.
The installer program is run automatically. It states that it is opening the restore.car file, and outputs the name of each directory and file that is extracted from the installation archive.
When the installer is complete, you are returned to the READY prompt. Although C64 OS is ready to be booted, some configuration is recommended for your specific hardware before you boot C64 OS for the first time. This is described in the configuration section below.
Installation on CMD HD or RamLink
The System Card contains two copies of C64 OS. One copy is already installed on the System Card, ready for use on the C64 with an SD2IEC. The second copy is in the form of an installation archive file and the installer tools.
If you have an SD2IEC but prefer to install C64 OS to a CMD HD or RamLink, you can use SD2IEC to transfer the installation files to the CMD device.
If you have an IDE64 but prefer to install C64 OS to a CMD HD or RamLink, you can use the IDE64 and PCLink to transfer the installation files to the CMD device.
If you do not have an SD2IEC or IDE64, an alternative method of transferring the installation files to your CMD HD or RamLink is required. SD2IEC is probably the easiest method for transferring files from a Mac or PC to a C64. SD2IEC devices are available in a variety of form factors and price points, most are reasonably inexpensive. Even if you prefer to use a CMD HD or RamLink as your C64 OS system drive, purchasing an SD2IEC is a solid investment.
C64 OS must be installed in the root directory of a CMD native partition, with at least 9000 blocks free. Transfer the four files from the root directory of the System Card to the root directory of the partition of the CMD device where you want to install C64 OS. Only two directory entries need to remain in the root directory after installation is complete.
| Filename | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| c64os | C64 OS booter. | Transfer to root directory of CMD native partition. |
| c64os setup | Installation setup program. | Transfer to root directory of CMD native partition. |
| restore.car | Installation archive file. | Transfer to root directory of CMD native partition. |
| c64restore | Installer program. | Transfer to root directory of CMD native partition. |
Load and run "c64os" from the CMD device. It does not have to be device #8.
This runs the C64 OS Setup Tool.
Press "f" to begin a fresh installation.
Press RETURN to accept the default device #. Press RETURN to accept the default partition # and proceed with the installation. The default device and partition numbers are autodetected as the current device and partition when the Setup Tool was loaded.
The installer program is run automatically. It states that it is opening the restore.car file, and outputs the name of each directory and file that is extracted from the installation archive.
When the installer is complete, you are returned to the READY prompt. Although C64 OS is ready to be booted, some configuration is recommended for your specific hardware before you boot C64 OS for the first time. This is described in the configuration section below.
Step 3. Configuration: How to Configure C64 OS
The C64 OS system directory contains a settings subdirectory in which are found most of the C64 OS settings files. In the settings directory is a program called "configure" that runs from the C64's READY prompt. This configures a C64 OS installation for your specific hardware.
Most settings can be configured from within C64 OS. The Configure Tool ensures that C64 OS is able to make use of the hardware that is connected to your C64 on the first run. If your hardware configuration changes (for example, if your mouse breaks and you need to use a joystick) you can re-run the Configure Tool at any time, from the READY prompt.
On the C64 OS system drive and partition, change current directory to "//os/settings/". Then load and run "configure". The device in the examples is #12. Use the device # assigned to your C64 OS system drive.
Without JiffyDOS (example with device #12):
open15,12,15,"cd//os/settings/":close15 load"configure",12 run
With JiffyDOS (example with device #12):
@cd//os/settings/ ↑configure
Date and Time
The yes or no questions about date and time may be answered according to your personal preference.
Press RETURN to accept the default option and proceed to the next question.
Mouse Input
C64 OS comes with 4 built-in mouse pointer styles, choose whichever style you prefer, or press RETURN to accept the default pointer style.
Following are several mouse accessibility settings. The defaults are reasonable and can be accepted by pushing RETURN, but if you have special requirements you can adjust them using the "+" and "-" keys.
If you use a proportional mouse, like a 1351 or compatible adapter, mouse speed affects the acceleration of the pointer. If you use a joystick, mouse speed affects the maximum speed the pointer can attain.
The double-click delay is the time that is allowed to pass between two clicks that still register as a double-click. If you have difficulty double-clicking quickly, this number can be increased.
The inner and outer colors of the pointer can be changed. The defaults are a pleasant black and light grey, but if you have difficulty seeing the pointer, you can adjust the colors to have a higher contrast against typical backgrounds.
The mouse can be configured for left-handed or right-handed use, which swaps the roles of the left and right buttons.
For additional information about mouse input configuration, see Chapter 3: Configuration of the C64 OS User's Guide.
Global System Settings
The CPU busy indicator is a clock animation that appears in the top left corner of the screen if the CPU is occupied for longer than a few seconds. It indicates that activity is taking place that could cause the user interface to become unresponsive. Press "y" to enable this feature.
There is then a series of questions about keyboard shortcuts that trigger system-level features. You can press "y" or RETURN to accept the defaults. These options also serve to show you that these features exist and how they can be triggered. You can customize them if the defaults are inconvenient.
The status bar has three display modes. You can choose which mode to start up in, according to your preference. If you do not have a preference, press RETURN to select the default.
Expansion Memory
C64 OS makes use of expanded memory from a RAM expansion unit to enable fast app switching. You can choose how much memory to allocate to fast app switching and how much to reserve for applications to use for other purposes. C64 OS uses one 64KB bank for each fast-switched app and manages the use of space dynamically.
| Model | Size | Banks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1700 | 128KB | 2 | Very small |
| 1764 | 256KB | 4 | Small |
| 1750 | 512KB | 8 | Medium |
| 1750XL | 2MB | 32 | Large |
| Ultimate 64 / 1541 Ultimate | Upto 16MB | 256 | Very Large |
If you dedicate all available banks to fast app switching, then an application that can make use of expanded memory operates as though no REU is available. A happy balance would be to dedicate a few banks to fast app switching, and still leave some for use by applications that can benefit from more memory.
Press RETURN to accept the default of 0 banks for fast app switching, or use the "+" and "-" keys to adjust the number of banks.
The amount of available main memory is displayed at the right end of the status bar. The Utility that is opened when you double-click the available memory is configurable. Press RETURN to choose the default option, the Memory Utility. The Memory Utility provides a visual map of how main memory is currently allocated.
IDE64 has special memory map requirements. If you are using an IDE64, that will be detected and the memory map is slightly adjusted automatically to accommodate its needs.
C64 OS displays memory quantities in various places. Choose whether you want to see memory represented as 256-byte pages, roughly the same as a disk block, or to see memory in kilobytes. Press RETURN to accept the default and showing memory in kilobytes.
Representation in kilobytes is less accurate than pages, but is more familiar for users of modern computers.
Hardware Drivers
Drivers for alternative hardware devices are configured separately from the settings for how the devices behave. The Configure Tool provides options for a realtime clock source for setting the system's date and time, and input device drivers for controlling the mouse pointer.
Additional and future drivers, such as for printers, networking hardware and game controllers, can be configured from within C64 OS.
If you have a storage device that provides a realtime clock (RTC) choose the IEC RTC driver. You are given an additional choice either to specify the device # or to allow the driver to autodetect and use the first supported device. The storage device that provides the RTC does not need to be the C64 OS system drive.
If you are using an Ultimate 64, or have a 1541 Ultimate plugged in with the most recent firmware update, you may choose the UCI RTC driver. The Ultimate Command Interface must be enabled in the menu system of the 1541 Ultimate or Ultimate 64.
If you do not have a device which supplies a realtime clock, press RETURN to select none of the above. For additional information about RTC configuration, see Chapter 3: Configuration of the C64 OS User's Guide.
Next you can select the pointer input driver for the hardware you have. If you have a 1351 or compatible mouse or a 1351 adapter such as MicroMys or MouSTer, you can choose the 1351 mouse driver. This driver is available for control port 1 or 2.
If you are using a MicroMys (or MouSTer configured for MicroMys compatibility) you can also choose the MicroMys driver, available starting in C64 OS v1.03. This driver adds support for the mouse wheel, but can only be used in control port 1.
If you only have a joystick choose the joystick driver, either for control port 1 or 2.
Go-Menu Places
In File Manager, there are 4 configurable places accessible from the Go menu. The Configure Tool can be used to set these automatically to default, valid places. If you choose to accept this option, 4 additional directories are created in the root directory of this partition:
- documents
- games
- music
- pictures
These places can later be changed from within C64 OS. If you've already configured these places and you re-run this Configure Tool, you can say no to this option and it will leave your places set as you've configured them.
Remember
None of your decisions made here are set in stone. You can run "configure" at any time to make different choices and change essential settings. This may be necessary if your hardware setup changes. For example, if you switch from a mouse to a joystick or other input device.
C64 OS configuration is now complete and you are ready to boot up for the first time.
Step 4. Booting Up: Start Using C64 OS
You are now ready to boot C64 OS for the first time.
Load and run "c64os" from the root directory of the C64 OS installation partition and device.
You can change to the partition and root directory where C64 OS is installed first and then simply load and run "c64os". However, the C64 OS booter also knows about its installation location and so you can load it using a path to specify its partition and the root directory and it will still successfully launch.
Without JiffyDOS (example with device #12, partition #1, changing defaults first):
open15,12,15,"cp1" print#15,"cd//":close15 load"c64os",12 run
Without JiffyDOS (example with device #12, partition #1, loading with path):
load"1//:c64os",12 run
With JiffyDOS (example with device #12, partition #1, changing defaults first):
@cp1 @cd// ↑c64os
With JiffyDOS (example with device #12, partition #1, loading with path):
↑1//:c64os
You see a progress meter as the booter loads the system files. Next the settings files are loaded in, drives are detected and mapped, and expanded memory is detected and checked for available capacity.
Once the system files are loaded in, C64 OS automatically opens the App Launcher.* This standard splash screen is displayed while launching an Application, showing its installed path and custom icon.
* If you have booted into C64 OS before, the booter returns you to the Homebase Application you were last in. This could be either App Launcher or File Manager.
When the App Launcher is finished launching, you see a desktop with aliases to Applications and Utilities that you can open by double-clicking.
Note: The desktop that you see may not look exactly like the example shown below.
Congratulations
C64 OS is up and running on your Commodore 64. You can now explore the user interface and built-in Applications and Utilities.
To get the most out of C64 OS, be sure to checkout the complete online User's Guide.
Table of Contents
This document is subject to revision updates.
Last modified: Feb 01, 2023