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PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
@rubber_jonnie I did remember that test from my days at college but I've used this as an excuse to get myself one of those cheap Chinese multi-testee that does transistors, mosfets etc.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
- rubber_jonnie
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Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
TBH I use both as the multimeter is better for parts in circuit.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
I've got a couple of Flukes and other good quality DMMs thanks to using them at work, been using one of them a lot lately, especially with that monitor.rubber_jonnie wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 9:17 pmTBH I use both as the multimeter is better for parts in circuit.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
- rubber_jonnie
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Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Good stuffPhilC wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 9:43 pmI've got a couple of Flukes and other good quality DMMs thanks to using them at work, been using one of them a lot lately, especially with that monitor.rubber_jonnie wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 9:17 pm
TBH I use both as the multimeter is better for parts in circuit.

Getting more used to working on CRTs, but my brain is always shouting 'safety first'!!
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Well the multi tester arrived and has been useful so far checking the transistors and mosfets on the Reuters monitor.
That and I worked out that the pot marked as set 11v is not talking about setting the wiper to 11v but the output from the PSU pin to 11v. This has helped no end as I now know where to start looking on the HV board as the moment it's powered up with that plug connected it drops the 11v down to 3.5v. Time to go hunting for dodgy components on that part of the circuit then.
That and I worked out that the pot marked as set 11v is not talking about setting the wiper to 11v but the output from the PSU pin to 11v. This has helped no end as I now know where to start looking on the HV board as the moment it's powered up with that plug connected it drops the 11v down to 3.5v. Time to go hunting for dodgy components on that part of the circuit then.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
So for the monitor I've ordered a Darlington transistor that provides the pulses for the HV.
Then something a little different, I got myself a non working E-MU Proteus/2 from on eBay and have been fixing it.
It needed a PSU recap and a new backlight in the display as it was very hard to see. Unfortunately a standard 16x02 HD44708 didn't want to work as the replacement, so I stole the backlight out of it and fitted it to the original screen. You can't say you can't read it now
Then something a little different, I got myself a non working E-MU Proteus/2 from on eBay and have been fixing it.
It needed a PSU recap and a new backlight in the display as it was very hard to see. Unfortunately a standard 16x02 HD44708 didn't want to work as the replacement, so I stole the backlight out of it and fitted it to the original screen. You can't say you can't read it now

If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
- stephen_usher
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Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)

Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
- mrbombermillzy
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Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Nice find Phil! Despite the bright display!
Im loving how the topics recently have been pivoting over to HI FI audio gear and synths.
Im loving how the topics recently have been pivoting over to HI FI audio gear and synths.
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
It makes even more sense when you see the Proteus PCB, powered by a 68000.mrbombermillzy wrote: ↑Sun Jan 19, 2025 5:57 pm Nice find Phil! Despite the bright display!
Im loving how the topics recently have been pivoting over to HI FI audio gear and synths.
In reality, the skills you learn fixing computers transfers pretty well to older synths and sound modules.
fun fact: the Proteus/2 was used to make the X-Files theme tune, that whistle but at the beginning is an instrument called Whistlin Joe.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
I ordered a couple more transistors for the Reuters monitor as I was not convinced that the PSU board was working as it should. So I've just fitted them and we now have HV going to the CRT and a picture of sorts.
This is connected to a Been, so it's sort of working with the groups of text in the right place, just got to ungarble it now, time to twiddle some pots
This is connected to a Been, so it's sort of working with the groups of text in the right place, just got to ungarble it now, time to twiddle some pots

If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.