Fixing my C128D

Blogs & guides and tales of woo by forum members.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9589
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Fixing my C128D

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 9:53 am Oh and maybe I’ll fix this too whilst I’m at it.

I’m surprised it booted.

IMG_2836.jpeg
Is that the power connector?

I really hate unannounced hack jobs that you find when your ebay item arrives :(
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...
User avatar
PhilC
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5800
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:22 pm

Re: Fixing my C128D

Post by PhilC »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 11:49 am
PhilC wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 9:53 am Oh and maybe I’ll fix this too whilst I’m at it.

I’m surprised it booted.

IMG_2836.jpeg
Is that the power connector?

I really hate unannounced hack jobs that you find when your ebay item arrives :(
That was the power switch, found a few other nastys too but got them fixed now and all the C128D bits transferred across and working.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9589
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Fixing my C128D

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 12:04 pm
rubber_jonnie wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 11:49 am

Is that the power connector?

I really hate unannounced hack jobs that you find when your ebay item arrives :(
That was the power switch, found a few other nastys too but got them fixed now and all the C128D bits transferred across and working.
Splendid :)
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...
User avatar
PhilC
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5800
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:22 pm

Re: Fixing my C128D

Post by PhilC »

Just swapped the roms over between the two boards and the new board boots fine with the ones from the other, so at least I can rule that out now, same for the SID and VIC I & II Chips.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9589
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Fixing my C128D

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 2:56 pm Just swapped the roms over between the two boards and the new board boots fine with the ones from the other, so at least I can rule that out now, same for the SID and VIC I & II Chips.
That's good, narrows things down a bit.
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...
User avatar
PhilC
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5800
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:22 pm

Re: Fixing my C128D

Post by PhilC »

@rubber_jonnie the good thing is now that I've got a working C128D for Cyber Legends I can take my time and fix this other board up properly.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9589
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Fixing my C128D

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 3:19 pm @rubber_jonnie the good thing is now that I've got a working C128D for Cyber Legends I can take my time and fix this other board up properly.
Yeah, that's great, will certainly take the pressure off.
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...
User avatar
mrbombermillzy
Posts: 1389
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2018 7:37 pm

Re: Fixing my C128D

Post by mrbombermillzy »

PhilC wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 3:19 pm the good thing is now that I've got a working C128D for Cyber Legends
Well done Phil. The show must go on eh? :D
User avatar
PhilC
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5800
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:22 pm

Re: Fixing my C128D

Post by PhilC »

It certainly must @mrbombermillzy.

Not sure if it’ll end up being black by then but you never know.

Tried stereo SID in it and I’ll probably remove it as on some games it sounds worse not better.

EDIT:

So I remnoved the stereo SID board and had a bit of a play and decided on an R4 6581 for the C128D, it does sound a little more basie and has more of the pops and clicks that the SIDs are known for.

Right, must get back to fixing the other board!
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
User avatar
PhilC
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5800
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:22 pm

Re: Fixing my C128D

Post by PhilC »

Been doing a bit more work with the C128 board on and off. I’ve removed half of the 74 chips and replaced and socketed them. I’ll test the ones I replaced after I get this up and running.

I’ve got a new power switch ordered, one with all its pins present.

Next I’ll socket the rest of the chips including the ram after I give that a good test. Mind you, that’s only if it doesn’t boot with what I’ve done so far. So hurry up power switch!

IMG_2847.jpeg
IMG_2847.jpeg (754.67 KiB) Viewed 177 times
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
Post Reply

Return to “MEMBER BLOGS”