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Another Egyptian Enterprise 64

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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Another Egyptian Enterprise 64

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2026 5:54 pm Sorry for not getting to this sooner. I’m at my partner’s place recuperating from a head injury I got yesterday. (One of the gas struts on the SAAB tailgate came off and the tailgate dropped onto my head. )

The joystick has a “rubber” diaphragm which goes between the green plastic and the top case. You then have the two green plastic parts of the joystick and underneath the ring and then the membrane.
Ooh, ow, hope you're feeling better now, that's pretty nasty, most tailgates of that era are pretty heavy :stars:

Thanks for the joystick info, I have all the bits it would seem though the cross piece which is the 'stick' part seems damaged, will get a photo of it. There is about 10-15mms protruding and the top isn't square.
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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JezC
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Re: Another Egyptian Enterprise 64

Post by JezC »

Hope you're OK @stephen_usher ?

I've managed to bang my head with the tailgate on a hatchback (Skoda/VW models, so almost equally sturdy to the Saab) too many times so hope you recover from the blunt force trauma involved very soon!

:awwww:
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Another Egyptian Enterprise 64

Post by rubber_jonnie »

OK so here are the joystick parts:

PXL_20260804_211339110.jpg
PXL_20260804_211339110.jpg (252.44 KiB) Viewed 73 times

The cross piece showing damage:

PXL_20260804_211349131.MACRO_FOCUS.jpg
PXL_20260804_211349131.MACRO_FOCUS.jpg (234.8 KiB) Viewed 73 times

And a side view of the stick top when assembled showing the top that seems to be damaged, but I'm now thinking that given the dirt inside and that it looks like it was underwater, I'm wondering if it was washed along a concrete floor and it wore down the function keys and the stick top?

PXL_20260804_211444851.MACRO_FOCUS.jpg
PXL_20260804_211444851.MACRO_FOCUS.jpg (89.01 KiB) Viewed 73 times

It certainly seems a reasonable theory given the top of the stick looks like it was filed down and I'd be very surprised if it was snapped as it seems pretty robust.
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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PhilC
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Re: Another Egyptian Enterprise 64

Post by PhilC »

Looks like there is enough sticking through for you to 3d print the top piece and just put it on.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Another Egyptian Enterprise 64

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2026 10:29 pm Looks like there is enough sticking through for you to 3d print the top piece and just put it on.
I was hoping that might be the case :)
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: Another Egyptian Enterprise 64

Post by stephen_usher »

Looking at the machine I'd plug a bench power supply in, give it 9V with 2A limit and switch on. Nile silt isn't known for being conductive. Connecting a telly via RF should give you a picture.
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: Another Egyptian Enterprise 64

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 9:01 pm Looking at the machine I'd plug a bench power supply in, give it 9V with 2A limit and switch on. Nile silt isn't known for being conductive. Connecting a telly via RF should give you a picture.
I am tempted!
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: Another Egyptian Enterprise 64

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 9:01 pm Looking at the machine I'd plug a bench power supply in, give it 9V with 2A limit and switch on. Nile silt isn't known for being conductive. Connecting a telly via RF should give you a picture.
OK so I tried and TR2 immediately died but just before it did I had a red LED...

It's a BC337 of which I have spares, however there is a clear short via TR2 as the minute I apply power the bench PSU clamps and I get 2A piling through TR2.
Screenshot 2026-08-06 at 10.12.14.png
Screenshot 2026-08-06 at 10.12.14.png (91.14 KiB) Viewed 22 times

Oddly after replacing TR2 a 2nd time, it seems to be working as expected, It's now pulling about 1.2A...

I have power, I have a good clock.

So I hooked up my janky comp mod and...

PXL_20260806_094257410.jpg
PXL_20260806_094257410.jpg (316.59 KiB) Viewed 22 times

My flabber is well and truly ghasted!!!

Even the membrane is 'mostly' working:

PXL_20260806_095719362.jpg
PXL_20260806_095719362.jpg (305.92 KiB) Viewed 22 times

I thought I was going to have a fight on my hands. Are these bullet proof?
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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JezC
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Re: Another Egyptian Enterprise 64

Post by JezC »

Yay - quite a result there @rubber_jonnie
:yay2: :cheer: :cheers:
rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2026 11:02 am I thought I was going to have a fight on my hands. Are these bullet proof?
Mind you, the above might be tempting fate a bit? ;)
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Another Egyptian Enterprise 64

Post by rubber_jonnie »

JezC wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2026 11:19 am Yay - quite a result there @rubber_jonnie
:yay2: :cheer: :cheers:
rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2026 11:02 am I thought I was going to have a fight on my hands. Are these bullet proof?
Mind you, the above might be tempting fate a bit? ;)
Well it looks like I will need a new membrane as the keys down the middle don't work despite a trim of the ribbons.

Surprised how much does work though.
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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