1987 Compucase 64d Review and Modern Mods (Commodore 64 & Twin Drive Conversion Kit)

Join me on this retro journey where we explore the Schmolz Unternehmensberatung Compucase 64d conversion kit for the Commodore 64. We look inside, socket the tethered keyboard, install an internal solid hard disk and create a custom rear panel.
00:00 Introduction
00:34 Retro Relix Title
00:46 Opening up the Compucase 64d
01:04 Internal 1541 Floppy Disk Drive Review
01:30 Rear Unit Review
01:54 1541 Floppy Disk Drive Removal
02:22 Chassis Removal
02:38 Identifying the Commodore 64 Motherboard
02:50 Motherboard Removal
03:20 Commodore 64 Motherboard Review
03:50 Memory Configuration Review
04:22 Commodore 64 Motherboard Review #2
04:34 Interfaces Review
05:10 Keyboard Renovation and Cable Socketing
07:20 Commodore 64 Motherboard Installation
07:46 Chassis and Wiring Review
08:24 Chassis Installation
08:42 1541 Floppy Disk Drive Review and Maintenance
10:02 Setting the 1541 Floppy Disk Drive IEC Device Number
10:48 Installing the internal SD2IEC hard disk
11:14 Rear Panel Review
12:04 Case Review
12:38 Rotating Monitor Stand
14:00 Power and Internal Drive Activity LED
14:32 Setting up the Compucase 64d
15:22 Testing the Compucase 64d Conversion Kit
16:52 International Karate
LINKS
Thingyverse 3D Print Files
www.thingiverse.com/retroreli...
Thumbnail background partly generated using hotpot.ai/art-generator
MUSIC CREDITS
Digital Voyage and Funky (Sting) by Twin Musicom. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence.
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
www.twinmusicom.org/
Retro by Wayne Jones.
Press Fuse and Straight Fuse by French Fuse
URL Melt - Unicorn Heads ℗ UA-cam Audio Library
Developed on a Surface Pro 9 using PowerDirector 365 and Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8

[@jarozlawus]

Wow, I've never seen this kit before 😮

[@RetroRelixRestorer]

Hi Everyone. This time Retro Relix reviews and fixes a 1987 Commodore 64 and Twin Drive Conversion Kit from Schmolz Unternehmensberatung. This is not just a case, more an important part of retro computing history. Enjoy...

[@retrorobbins]

Retro Brighton is not something I've ever done before and I'm kind of interested in doing a little bit , giving it a go. It's always good to see the original colour of the unit when you remove the badge , as you can see the difference between what the sun has hit & not hit I suppose it's a good guide to get the right amount of retro Brighton... I must admit when I see people use one of those electric screwdrivers it's always temps me to get one myself 😂 put knowing me I'll probably put the button in the wrong direction and over tighten a screw I'm trying to take out 😂😂😂 enjoyed the video thanks for sharing

[@anticat900]

Ok from the front, but a right mess at the back! It should have been made a few inches deeper and wider too so the power connectors and serial cable could be inside the unit?

[@RetroRelixRestorer]

Yeah, agreed. Considered installing the C64 PSU internally, but the whole unit is already massively heavy.

[@Metal_Maxine]

Is the keyboard as nicotine-coloured in real life as it is on screen?
This seems to be a product for somebody who wants to feel like they own one of those funky IBM 5050 compatibles without the crazy price tag and keep using their old software.

[@RetroRelixRestorer]

The keyboard colour was really bad. Took me multiple retrobrighting sessions and case sunbathing to get them some way back to the original. Agree with your second point too, given the C64 had been released over four years prior.

[@Metal_Maxine]

@@RetroRelixRestorer Retro-brighting sounds like a nightmare. At least, I'll never need to retro-bright my Spectrum

[@gabor222]

It is a nice rare configuration but am I the only one whose OCD is disturbed by the use of radial capacitors in the place of axials and the square rubber feet on the circular space on keyboard? And please fix that ugly solder blob at 10:47. It looks exactly like the "bad examples" that they show technicians at school how not to solder.