Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!motcsd!hpda!hpcupt1!hprnd!marco
From: marco@hprnd.HP.COM (Marco Gonzalez)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: C+4
Message-ID: <2620003@hprnd.HP.COM>
Date: 10 Jul 89 18:47:56 GMT
References: <4762@psuvax1.cs.psu.edu>
Organization: HP Roseville Networks Division
Lines: 27


>	A friend of mine has one of those wierd Commodore + 4 deals. I
>	never even heard of the thing, but she apparently bought it for $60
>	on some home shopping network a few years ago, and NEVER EVEN TURNED
>	IT ON (real power-user, huh?). I hooked it up & figgured out how to
>	run the four built-in software packages (probably adequate for her 
>	needs), as well as playing around in BASIC. Anyway, she now (three
>	years later) actually wants to make this thing into a real system.
>	(e.g. disk drive, printer, possibly modem) I am aware of the substantial
>	user base for the C64 & C128, and I wonder... is this thing C64
>	compatible (e.g. hardware/software)? The BASIC language appears
>	identical to the 64, and the keyboard is the same also. Honestly, I
>	could not reccomend expanding a system like that if it's not compatible
>        with the more popular C64. Also, she may be interested in a used
>	disk drive, printer, or modem (hint!hint!).

 The Commodore +4 is NOT (no es) Software compatible with the C-64. Only simple BASIC programs can be compatibles. That means that in no way comercial programs
written for the C-64 will run on the +4. That's because the C-64 and C+4 are 
very different computers, the great video chip and the sound chip (VIC2 and SID)
were replaced by other less-capable chips.
 The Commodore + partially hardware compatible with the C-64/128. The serial port is the same, so all the printers and disk drives that connect to this port
Should work.(Joysticks, cartridges and other stuff is not compatible).
 And finally, you are right, It's not a good idea to reccomend expanding such a system.


 My opinions are MINE. They DON'T reflect in any way or form those of my 
 employer.