Commodore Computers 264 Series User manual

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Prelim inary
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USER’SGUIDE STATEMENT
"This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy. If it is not ^
properly installed and used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, this equipment may interfere with radio and television ^
reception. This machine has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in
Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable ^
protection against such interference in a residential installation. If you
suspect interference, you can test this equipment by turning it off and on. If ^
you determine that there is interference with radio or television reception, try
one or more of the following measures to correct it: « ,
• reorient the receiving antenna
• move the computer away from the receiver ^
• change the relative positions of the computer equipment and the receiver ^
• plug the computer into a different outlet so that the computer and the
receiver are on different branch circuits. ^
If necessary, consult your Commodore dealer or an experienced radio/
television technician for additional suggestions. You may also wish to ^
consult the following booklet, which was prepared by the Federal
Communications Commission: **
"How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems". This booklet
is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. ^
20402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.
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INTRODUCTION
YOU’LL ADORE YOUR COMMODORE 264!
Welcome to the Commodore family! Whether you’re a beginner or an expert,
you'll be surprised how easy it is to use your Commodore 264 computer. The
Commodore 264 is easy to program . .. but you don’t have to be a
programmer to use it. You don't even have to know how to type!
Commodore’s full selection of COMMODORE 264 software makes it easy to
use your computer for business, home and educational applications. (And
don’t forget the games!)
You Bought The Best Computer
These special built-in features make your COMMODORE 264 the best home
computer you can buy:
• 64K RAM (60K available for BASIC programming)
• Full Typewriter Style Keyboard
• Optional Built in Software
• Screen Window Capability
• HELP Key
• 8 Programmed, Reprogrammable Function Keys
• Four Separate Cursor Keys
• Uses Most COMMODORE 64 and VIC-20 Peripherals
• 128 Colors (16 primary colors, 8 luminance levels)
• Over 75 BASIC Commands
• High Resolution Graphics Plotting
• Split-Screen Text With High-Res Graphics
• Graphic Character Set On Keyboard
• Keyboard Color Controls
• 320 x 200 Pixel Screen Resolution
• Reverse and Flashing Characters
• 2 Tone Generators
• Built-In Machine Language Monitor (13 commands)
What You Can Do With Your Commodore 264
The key to any computer is SOFTWARE, and Commodore has a full “menu”
of software available from your Commodore dealer. Specific applications
Include wordprocessing, financial calculations, learning activities, mail lists,
project planning, recordkeeping, home budget, investment analysis and
much more. Some software products combine several different functions,
such as “Triology,” which provides wordprocessing, an electronic
spreadsheet, database AND graphics!
Many models of the Commodore 264 have software built into the machine.
You can also buy Commodore software on plug-in cartridges, floppy
diskettes and cassette tapes. And of course, you can learn to program your
computer in BASIC, which comes built into your computer, or in other
popular computer languages such as LOGO.

Built-in Software
You may have purchased your Commodore 264 with one of several built-in
software packages that are ready to use as soon as you turn on your
computer. If your computer has built-in software, a separate manual
describing how to use the software is included. Built-in software on the
Commodore 264 is a Commodore first!
Commodore Software on Cartridge
For a long time, video games were the only software programs available on
cartridge. Now Commodore brings you large application programs such as
wordprocessing and business programs on cartridge...at prices you can
afford. Cartridges are convenient because all you have to do is plug them in
and start computing; you don’t need any additional equipment. There are
other advantages as well...for exampie, an electronic spreadsheet on
cartridge gives you more working space than an electronic spreadsheet on
disk.
Software on Disk and Tape
Commodore software also cornes on floppy diskettes and on cassette tape.
The Commodore Disk Drive lets you run Commodore disk-based software
and the Commodore Model 1531 Datassette lets you run tape-based
software.
Programming in BASIC — Over 50 New Commands
It’s easy to program your COMMODORE 264. Start by working through the
exercises included in this manual, and if you want to get more involved in
programming, Commodore offers several self-teaching courses such as
INTRODUCTION TO BASIC and our BOOKWARE™ series of books and
tutoriais.
The BASIC on your Commodore 264 is the most powerful BASIC ever built
into any Commodore home computer...it includes MORE THAN FIFTY NEW
BASIC COMMANDS including full GRAPHICS PLOTTING and PROGRAM
EDITING.
Programming in LOGO — Turtle Graphics and More
Many new computerists prefer to learn programming with LOGO, an easy
computer language created for beginners, which features the use of a
“turtle” to draw pictures and create graphs and charts. LOGO is rising
rapidly in popularity, especially in schools, and Commodore has a strong
commitment to this "friendly” programming language.

The MAGIC DESK •
If you’re a new computerist and you want to use your computer for
wordprocessing, calculations and other functions, but you really don’t want
to learn any special commands or instructions...try MAGIC DESK. This
unique Commodore software system uses PICTURES of familiar objects
instead of written commands, and uses the computer Keyboard like a
typewriter. The software is automatically linked to your disk drive and printer
so, for example, all you have to do is “point” at the picture of the printer to
print out a paper copy of something you’ve typed. Ask your dealer for a
demonstration.
Creating A Complete Computer System
As you develop your complete computer SYSTEM, you’ll find that
Commodore peripherals are priced so you can afford them, and designed
with superior features. Here are the major peripherals included in most
typical Commodore home computer systems:
Computer: Commodore 264
Display: Commodore Color Monitor (or your television set)
Storage: Commodore Datassette (tape recorder) or Commodore Disk
Drive
Printer Commodore Printer (several models) or 1520 Printer/Plotter
Modem: Commodore VICMODEM or Commodore AUTOMODEM
Controller: Commodore Joysticks
Where To Go From Here?
By now you’ve done enough reading and you want to get started. Here’s
what we recommend you do first: Send in your warranty card. Subscribe to
the Commodore magazine so you get the latest information on your
computer, and join the Commodore National User Club. Read this manual
and try the exercises. Try some software. Keep checking in with the
Commodore dealers in your area for new developments In software,
bookware™ and peripherals. Enjoy!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
Unpacking and Setting Up the Commodore 264
Using the Keyboard and the S creen .................
Getting to Know Your Commodore 264 ...........
Using So ftw are........................- .........................
BeginningBASIC ...............................................
Using Graphics and Color ..................................
M akin gS oun da nd M us ic ..................................
BASIC Tricks........................................................
APPENDICES .....................................................................................
A ErrorMessages..........................................................
B BASiC 3.5 Commands, Statements, and Functions
C BASIC 3.5 Abbreviations...........................................
D TE D M ON .............................. ......................................
E Converting BASIC Programs to Commodore
BASIC 3.5................................................................
F Memory Register M ap ...............................................
G M usicalNoteTable ...................................................
H ASCII and CHR$ Codes .............................................
I Screen Display Codes ...............................................
J ScreenandColorMem oryMaps ..............................
K Deriving Mathematical Functio n s..........................
L Program sToTry........................................................
M Book L is t ....................................................................
INDEX

CHAPTER
UNPACKING AND
SETTING UP THE
COMMODORE 264
Unpacking your Commodore 264.
Getting to know the switches and
sockets.
Setting up your Commodore 264.
Troubleshooting chart.

Now that you’ve opened the box containing your new C-264 box and found
this manual, the first thing that you should do is check to make sure that
you have ail the items on this list. You should have:
1. YourCommodore264
UNPACKING YOUR COMMODORE 264
2. The power supply
This is a biack box with a line cord
coming out of one end, and a round plug
coming out the other. The round plug
goes into the back of the C-264.
The other end has a standard three-
prong line plug that goes into a regular
wall socket.
3. The TV switchbox
This is the silver and black box that
connects to your antenna jack on the
back of your TV. You don’t need the
switchbox if you plan to connect your
C-264 to a monitor.
4. The RF cable
This is a thin black cable, with a single
prong jack at each end, used to connect
the TV switchbox to the RF output jack
on the side of the C-264. You don’t need
this cable if you are planning to connect
your C-264 to a monitor.
5. The user’s guide
(Obviousiy!)
6. Other assorted literature, such as the
warranty card, etc.
POWER
CORO
SOCKET
PO W ER
SUPPLY ©
©
If you don't find all these items in the box, check with your dealer
immediately for replacements.
Before you connect anything, you should look over these drawings of your
computer. These drawings identify all the outiets so you can set up your
computer system quickly and easily.

GETTING TO KNOW THE SWITCHES AND SOCKETS
THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR C-264
THE ON/OFF SWITCH
Your C-264 should be
turned off when you
Install or remove
cartridges or any
peripheral device such
as a printer or disk
drive. The OFF
position is marked so
you can be sure when
your machine is off.
THE RESET BUTTON
There are two ways to use the RESET button:
1. You can use the RESET button to clear your screen and reset your computer as If you'd just
turned it on. Just press the reset button once. Be careful: when you press the reset button,
you will lose any BASIC program currently in memory.*
2. If you want to reset your Commodore 264 and KEEP your BASIC program, hold down the
RUN/STOP key and then press the RESET button. When you do this, your C-264 goes to the
built in machine language monitor. Type an X and press the RETURN key to get back to
BASIC. Your program is still completely intact in the C-264 memory. Just type LIST to display
the program on your screen.
*Whe n you press RESET, C-264 automatically Issues a NEW command. This can be reversed. See the Comm odore 264
Programmer's Reference Guide for information on UNNEW ing your program after you've pressed the reset button by accident.
THE LEFT SIDE OF YOUR C-264
The socket and the
switch on the left side
of the C-264 (if you’re
facing it) both have to
do with TV con
nections. Neither is
used if you’re
connecting your C-264
to a monitor.
THE RF JACK
This is where you plug one end of the RF cable (the thin black cable). You can plug either end
Into this socket and the other end into the TV switch box.
THE HIGH/LOW SWITCH
This switch controls which channel will display your C-264 video output. Set the H/L switch to
L for output on channel 3. Set the H/L switch to H for video on channel 4.
You can use either channel 3 or 4 on your TV to display the video picture frorn your computer. If
you have a channel 3 TV station in your area, select channel 4, and vice versa. You’ll probably
want to experiment to see which setting gives you the best picture.
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THE BACK OF YOUR COMPUTER
The sockets on the back of your computer connect a variety of accessories to your Commodore
264. Each connector is different. Be sure you plug each accessory into the right socket.
THE POWER SOCKET
The round end of the power cable fits in here. The power cable Is the one connected to the power
supply box. Plug the other end into a standard wall socket for three-prong plugs.
THE SERIAL BUS
You can plug a disk drive or a printer into this socket. If you want to plug in both, plug the disk
drive in here, and then plug the printer into the back pf the disk drive.
THE CASSETTE PORT
The Commodore cassette tape recorder plugs in here.
THE RS232 PORT
Accessories such as a modem and an RS-232 adapter plug in here.
THE MEMORY EXPANSION PORT
0 26 4 software cartridges and the 0 26 4 fast disk drive plug in here. When you install or remove
cartridges, be sure to turn off your 02 64.
JOY 0 AND JOY 1: THE GAME PORTS
You can plug )oy sticks into these sockets. The Commodore 264 uses specially designed joy
sticks available from your Commodore dealer.
THE VIDEO SOCKET
This is where you plug in the cable that connects a monitor to your 02 6 4. Although this socket is
an 8-pin connector, you can use a 5-pin cable in this socket as well. The Commodore 1700 Series
Color Monitor comes with an 8-pin cable for use with the C-264.