Open a command prompt and type java -version
Java is installed if you see something like this:
c:\> java -version
java version "21.0.4" 2024-07-16 LTS
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 21.0.4+8-LTS-274)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 21.0.4+8-LTS-274, mixed mode, sharing)
Java is not installed if you see something like this:
c:\> java -version
'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
You will need to install Java if it is not installed, or the version installed is not at least 21.
Java can be easily downloaded and installed from various web sites including:
On the GitHub page, go to the releases section and download the latest release .zip file.
Unzip it into a directory of your choosing (for example: c:\commodore\tcpserial)
In a command prompt, type commands similar to this:
c:\> cd \commodore\tcpserial
c:\> TCPSerial
ECHO is off.
Sep 29, 2024 6:58:16 PM INFO Version:showStartupMessage TCPSerial v1.0 released on Oct 1, 2024
Sep 29, 2024 6:58:16 PM INFO Version:showStartupMessage Java Version Information:
Sep 29, 2024 6:58:16 PM INFO Version:showStartupMessage Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM 21.0.4+8-LTS-274
Sep 29, 2024 6:58:16 PM INFO Version:showStartupMessage Oracle Corporation
Sep 29, 2024 6:58:16 PM INFO Version:showStartupMessage Press Control-C to stop
Sep 29, 2024 6:58:16 PM INFO ModemPoolThread:<init> [C64 Modem] Type: ip232 Port: 25232 Speed: 38400bps.
Sep 29, 2024 6:58:16 PM INFO ModemPoolThread:<init> [C64 Modem] ats0=2s5=20
Sep 29, 2024 6:58:16 PM INFO ModemPoolThread:<init> [C64 Modem] Waiting for IP232 connections on port 25232
TCPSerial is now running and waiting for a program to connect to it to use its Modem Emulation Services.
Go to Preferences -> Settings
For this document, we will use the 2021 version of CCGMS.
The .d64 image can be downloaded here:
https://commodore.software/downloads/download/59-ccgms/15582-ccgms-2021
Be sure that TCPSerial is running before you start the C64 emulator.
From within VICE, CCGMS is loaded with a simple:
LOAD "CCG*",8,1
SEARCHING FOR CCG*
LOADING
READY.
RUN
Lets first make sure our modem emulation is working.
Type the word at and press enter.
If you see the word ok you are good to go.
The Commodore BBS Outpost website contains a list of active BBSes that you can connect to over the internet.
Some of these are running on actual Commodore hardware.
http://cbbsoutpost.servebbs.com/
When you see one you like, you can connect to it by typing:
atdt 8bit.hoyvision.com:6400 and pressing enter.
Once you have finished visiting some BBSes, you can safely exit out of VICE.
You can press Control-C to end TCP Serial (or just close the command window).
Edit the config.xml file that came with TCPSerial.
Change the attribute from playModemSounds="NO" to playModemSounds="YES" and save the file.
Startup TCPSerial and then VICE.
TCPSerial will now make the sounds of dialing and connecting via modem when you next connect to a BBS.
While this is kind of fun the first few times, you will quickly see why we have this option defaulted to off.
To turbo speed your data transfers, you can use a virtual SwiftLink to connect to boards at 38,400.
Change the VICE setting to look like this instead:
Close VICE and TCPSerial.
Start TCPSerial and then VICE.
Once you load CCGMS, press F7 to get into the setup screen.
Change Modem Type to Swift / Turbo DE
Change the Baud Rate to 38,400
Now you will be BBSing at top speed.