Methods of Hiding Files on the Commodore64

The Commodore64 (C64) is a classic home computer system that was popular in the1980s. C64 OS is an operating system specifically designed for the Commodore64, created by Greg Naçu. While the C64 may not have had a traditional file system, there were still ways to store and access files on the system.

The C64 used a disk-based storage system, with floppy disks being the primary means of storing data. These disks could be formatted with the Commodore DOS (Disk Operating System), which allowed for the creation of files and directories.

Hidden files, similar to modern operating systems, were not a concept on the C64. However, there were ways to obscure or protect files from casual users. One method was by setting the "locked" attribute on a file. When a file was locked, it could not be easily accessed or modified without the appropriate tools or knowledge.

To lock a file on the C64, you would use a disk utility program, such as "Disk Commander" or "Dolphin DOS." These programs provided options for manipulating files and directories, including the ability to lock or unlock files. Once a file was locked, it would not appear in a standard directory listing, making it effectively "hidden" from casual users.

Another method of hiding files on the C64 was by storing them in a non-standard format or using custom file extensions. For example, you could save a file with a different file extension than what was typically associated with a particular file type. This would make it less likely to be recognized as a specific file type by other users or programs.

It's important to note that these methods of hiding files on the C64 were not foolproof, and more experienced users or those with specialized tools could still access and modify these files. However, for the average user, these methods provided a level of obscurity or protection for their files.

In conclusion, while the concept of hidden files in the modern sense did not exist on the Commodore64, there were ways to obscure or protect files from casual users. These methods included locking files and using non-standard file formats or extensions.

Post a Comment