General Stuff(tm)

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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2024 9:11 pm Since the property was effectively yours already then it's just like a normal sale. Be aware (I'm sure you already are) that there is a limit for insurance purposes of £85,000 per person per bank account/organisation and any more won't be covered in the event of fraud/theft etc.
Indeed, so the bulk will go in a long term building society investment with some into the instant access ISA so I can use it for getting solar panels and a battery installed.
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.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2024 9:26 pm
rubber_jonnie wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2024 9:11 pm Since the property was effectively yours already then it's just like a normal sale. Be aware (I'm sure you already are) that there is a limit for insurance purposes of £85,000 per person per bank account/organisation and any more won't be covered in the event of fraud/theft etc.
Indeed, so the bulk will go in a long term building society investment with some into the instant access ISA so I can use it for getting solar panels and a battery installed.
Sounds like a good plan. We're currently investing in a holiday home in France, should be completed in 2 weeks, property is exceedingly good value at the moment.
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...
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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

Finally got around to fixing the tape drive on the Epson HX-20.

To get one of the screws off the bridge over the main capstan so as to fit the replacement belt I had to drill the head off as it stripped. Thankfully the screw on the other side is strong enough to hold it down and the stub of the machine screw keeps the bar from moving sideways at the other end.

Anyway, it works!

IMG_4007.jpeg
IMG_4007.jpeg (315.78 KiB) Viewed 81 times
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.
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by HigashiJun »

:dualthumbup:
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2024 9:41 pm Finally got around to fixing the tape drive on the Epson HX-20.

To get one of the screws off the bridge over the main capstan so as to fit the replacement belt I had to drill the head off as it stripped. Thankfully the screw on the other side is strong enough to hold it down and the stub of the machine screw keeps the bar from moving sideways at the other end.

Anyway, it works!


IMG_4007.jpeg
That's reminded me I need to look at mine, I think it has a power issue.
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...
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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:58 am That's reminded me I need to look at mine, I think it has a power issue.
It'll need a new NiCD battery pack... and probably a clean-up of battery juice.

It doesn't run directly from the power input, that's merely to charge the battery through a simple resistor circuit which overheats if you try to power the machine directly, which needs 7.5V to get the machine to start anyway and not the 4.5V stated on the case. 6V should be enough to charge the battery.
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.
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stephen_usher
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by stephen_usher »

Well, it's official. I'll soon be out of a job. They have found some sense and are doing a hand-over to another department's IT in the interim but that's not really going to help them much.
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.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: Thu Oct 10, 2024 1:15 pm
rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:58 am That's reminded me I need to look at mine, I think it has a power issue.
It'll need a new NiCD battery pack... and probably a clean-up of battery juice.

It doesn't run directly from the power input, that's merely to charge the battery through a simple resistor circuit which overheats if you try to power the machine directly, which needs 7.5V to get the machine to start anyway and not the 4.5V stated on the case. 6V should be enough to charge the battery.
The battery pack is (was) ok as I had already built a new one for it and have a suitable PSU as I found out about the so called 'power' system a while back. I think something is off in the power circuit after the battery, but I can't recall where I got to with it as it's been so long since I looked at it. It was odd though as I did get power up sometimes, but mostly it wouldn't.

A schematic would be handy.
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...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: Thu Oct 10, 2024 1:22 pm Well, it's official. I'll soon be out of a job. They have found some sense and are doing a hand-over to another department's IT in the interim but that's not really going to help them much.
Ahh damn that's crap, sorry to hear it.
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...
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Re: General Stuff(tm)

Post by mrbombermillzy »

Sorry to hear that Stephen. :(
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