^{Menu: Tools → Lan64}

Lan64 offers you the possibility to transfer data between your PC and a real physical C64. You just need a special parallel cable for it. Your PC has to have the correct parallel interface. If you know a little bit about soldering you can build the cable yourself. More infos about the cable can be found in the appendix to the help files under Lan64 cable.

Lan64 is based on a data protocol that Thorsten Kattanek developed. The speed is ~ 6,5 Kb/s to the C64, this means a file with 111 block (ca. 50kb) needs 7.5 seconds to be transferred.

Lan64 is good for loading single files into the memory of the C64 but it can't replace a floppy disc drive.

When connecting the PC to the C64 both computers have to be turned off! There is the danger of short circuits while plugging in the plugs which can lead to serious hardware damage.

You have to start a program to make it possible for the C64 to receive data from your PC. If you can't run or transfer the program XXXXX from the Emu64 imagefile XXXX on your C64, no problem, your can hack the program into the C64 yourself. More info and the BASIC program can be found in the appendix under BASIC Loader Lan64 Easy (C64).

The Lan64 window offers different functions and a display for the datatransfer.

Cablestatus

The left area of the Lan64 window shows the cable status. The interface of the C64 and the PC are connected with a special cable and the display shows the status of the C64.

Green LEDs Input –> to C64

Red LEDs Output –> from C64

If a LED is on this shows the high status of the cable (bit).

State & Messages

These two lines show the current state of Lan64 in human readable form.

transfer progress display

Above the state display the progress of a data transfer is shown.

send C64 file

This button opens a dialog window where you can select the file you want to transfer to the C64 and acknowledge this with the button. The file is transferred directly into the memory of the C64.
For a successful data transfer the cable has to plugged in a ready and LAN64 Easy has to run on the C64, otherwise Emu64 cancels the data transfer and displays the following message: „The C64 is not ready or connected !“

Reset

Clicking the reset button resets the cable to the default values. This might be necessary when there are wrong cable states after turning on the computers.

cabel test

You can test the cable you use between the C64 and the PC by pressing this button. You have to write a short BASIC program on the C64 for this. The Code is shown when you click on Cabel test.

After the program runs on the C64 you can press the OK button. The status and messages lines inform you about the cable's status and if it works or not. If the connection is missing or the program on the C64 doesn't run the cable test fails. Click the Reset button or close the Lan64 window to abort the cable test.