How to Change Border Color on Commodore 128

This guide explains how to change the border color on the Commodore 128 using BASIC commands. It covers the specific syntax required for both native and C64 compatibility modes, lists the available color codes, and provides examples to help users customize their display settings quickly.

The BORDER Command

The primary method to alter the screen border on the Commodore 128 is through the BASIC command known as BORDER. This command functions similarly in both the native C128 mode and the C64 compatibility mode. To execute the change, simply type the command followed by a number representing the desired color.

Syntax and Usage

The syntax for the command is straightforward. In the direct mode or within a program, you would type:

BORDER color

Replace “color” with a number ranging from 0 to 15. For example, typing BORDER 1 will change the border to white, while BORDER 0 will revert it to black. This command takes effect immediately upon pressing the Return key.

Available Color Codes

The Commodore 128 supports 16 distinct colors for the border. Each color corresponds to a specific numeric value. Below is the standard color map used by the system:

0: Black 1: White 2: Red 3: Cyan 4: Purple 5: Green 6: Blue 7: Yellow 8: Orange 9: Brown 10: Light Red 11: Dark Gray 12: Medium Gray 13: Light Green 14: Light Blue 15: Light Gray

Memory Address Alternative

While the BASIC command is the most user-friendly approach, advanced users may prefer modifying the memory address directly. This method is often used in machine language programs. The memory address controlling the border color is 53280. You can achieve the same result by typing:

POKE 53280, color

This method works identically to the BORDER command but interacts directly with the video chip registers.

Resetting the Display

If you wish to return the computer to its default startup state, you can perform a soft reset. Alternatively, you can manually reset the border to black by entering BORDER 0. Combining this with the COLOR and BACKCOLOR commands allows for complete customization of the visual interface in C128 native mode.