PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)

[exxos]

See....... I can tidy my bench, I just choose not too.

You can tidy my workshop if you like next

[PhilC]

See....... I can tidy my bench, I just choose not too.

You can tidy my workshop if you like next

I've seen the photos, I'd need a JCB and a bulker or two to shift that little lot

[PhilC]

Bit of something different today from my usual fixing.

This is a PSU that gives out multiple different voltages but not until the "safety" circuit has been made.

PXL_20260825_153812403.jpg (254.38 KiB) Viewed 50 times

As it turns out the PCB next to the two big caps is where the safety circuit and PSU fan voltages are created. It took me a while to find it but there was a shorted out tantalum cap right in the middle of the board. So now the fan spins up when the PSU is powered on, so time to reassemble it and try it back in the computer.

Wish me luck

[rubber_jonnie]

Bit of something different today from my usual fixing.

This is a PSU that gives out multiple different voltages but not until the "safety" circuit has been made.

PXL_20260825_153812403.jpg

As it turns out the PCB next to the two big caps is where the safety circuit and PSU fan voltages are created. It took me a while to find it but there was a shorted out tantalum cap right in the middle of the board. So now the fan spins up when the PSU is powered on, so time to reassemble it and try it back in the computer.

Wish me luck

Beware the magic smoke

[PhilC]

@rubber_jonnie no magic black smoke yet.

PXL_20260825_160925856.LONG_EXPOSURE-01.jpg (284.99 KiB) Viewed 43 times

And this is what the PSU is connected to. Always had a bit of a thing for Amber monitors and this fits the bills nicely.

Just got to try and make some Setup disks for it now.

[mrbombermillzy]

Nice machine @PhilC

What exactly is it?

Looks very nostalgic for me, as Im sure my uncle John used to bring one of those home from work (and let me play that angle shooting tanks game - a bit like a predecessor to worms - as well as - ahem - Leisure Suit Larry).

[PhilC]

@mrbombermillzy it's a Compaq Portable III. It's a bit beaten up, with cracked case and the 386 keyboard on it rather than the 286 one but that fits with my type of collection, working but had a hard life, just like me

It's a 286 PC, 5 1/4" floppy, hard drive of unknown size right now but all seems to work now.

It just needed a whole load of tantalum caps replaced on the PSU and motherboard.

[mrbombermillzy]

Im pretty sure thats what he used to bring home. First time he brought it, I thought it was a plastic cased sewing machine.

Will have to ask him when I next speak to him.

Also, very inappropriate to ask... if it runs Doom.

[PhilC]

Im pretty sure thats what he used to bring home. First time he brought it, I thought it was a plastic cased sewing machine.

Will have to ask him when I next speak to him.

Also, very inappropriate to ask... if it runs Doom.

I think it might need a little more ram, let alone the fact that it's got a CGA display

[mrbombermillzy]

I think it might need a little more ram, let alone the fact that it's got a CGA display

Well, Im bringing a C64 that'll run Doom to CL5, so never say never!

Has it actually got a (digital) RGB out port, or are we talking strictly monochrome Amber here?

If the former, there were some cool 1024 colour CGA demos released a while ago.