Snapshots and USB Keys: Take Your C64 Gaming With You
Are you on the go and at multiple computers on any given day? You don't need a pocket version of a C64 emulator to enjoy Commodore 64 games when you have easy access to Desktop and Laptop PCs. No reason to tie your C64 gaming to one PC.
The "Snapshot" function in the VICE Commodore 64 emulator will allow you to save a VICE Snapshot File (*.vsf) that will save the position you were at in your game.
Since VICE does not require an install process to run on Windows, and runs just by clicking x64.exe in the VICE folder, you do not need to keep VICE on any one machine. You can instead have your VICE program files, game .d64 and .t64 files, and .vsf snapshot files all on a USB key/drive. That way, when VICE goes looking for your game files to load up more program data -- say, Ultima 4 with multiple disk images, you'll still be able to play using a Snapshot and at any PC with Windows.
It also comes in handy if you want to show off a game, or even a music demo to a friend.
Consider getting a USB Keychain and moving your WinVICE folder along with frequently played game files onto it. Heck, since game files are so small, you can load up 100 games with no worries on something like a 1GB USB drive.
Commodore 64 users never had the conveniences of this kind of portability, so take advantage of it now!
Get yourself a cheap USB Keychain drive, download VICE, go to GB64.com, download some games, play by clicking on the x64.exe file in the VICE folder, autoattach and load your game files, take snapshots when you're in the middle of something and have no way to "save" otherwise -- now you're a mobile C64 gamer!
The "Snapshot" function in the VICE Commodore 64 emulator will allow you to save a VICE Snapshot File (*.vsf) that will save the position you were at in your game.
Since VICE does not require an install process to run on Windows, and runs just by clicking x64.exe in the VICE folder, you do not need to keep VICE on any one machine. You can instead have your VICE program files, game .d64 and .t64 files, and .vsf snapshot files all on a USB key/drive. That way, when VICE goes looking for your game files to load up more program data -- say, Ultima 4 with multiple disk images, you'll still be able to play using a Snapshot and at any PC with Windows.
It also comes in handy if you want to show off a game, or even a music demo to a friend.
Consider getting a USB Keychain and moving your WinVICE folder along with frequently played game files onto it. Heck, since game files are so small, you can load up 100 games with no worries on something like a 1GB USB drive.
Commodore 64 users never had the conveniences of this kind of portability, so take advantage of it now!
Get yourself a cheap USB Keychain drive, download VICE, go to GB64.com, download some games, play by clicking on the x64.exe file in the VICE folder, autoattach and load your game files, take snapshots when you're in the middle of something and have no way to "save" otherwise -- now you're a mobile C64 gamer!
Posted by Robinson Mason at 03-31-2009 
Categories: Emulation,Tutorials,Games,Hardware,General
Tags: snapshot c64 save files games emulation USB Keychain
Categories: Emulation,Tutorials,Games,Hardware,General
Tags: snapshot c64 save files games emulation USB Keychain
I didn't know this information so far about USB keys i thought it all needed to be installed on my desktop. Thanks for providing this information I am very happy to knowing this.
Hi,
My C=64 keyboard is so worn out that some of the keys must be pounded on in order to register.
Consider getting a USB Keychain and moving your WinVICE folder along with frequently played game files onto it. Heck, since game files are so small, you can load up 100 games with no worries on something like a 1GB USB drive.
erreauk
Good post.USB flash drives offer potential advantages over other portable storage devices, particularly the floppy disk. They have a more compact shape, operate faster, hold much more data, have a more durable design, and operate more reliably due to their lack of moving parts.
USB keys are a great way to share the Commodore love. Stealth put C64 emulation folders on your friends desktops!