I'm a hopless addict - PC Engine Duo inbound...

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alexh
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Re: I'm a hopless addict - PC Engine Duo inbound...

Post by alexh »

These consoles are known to suffer from SMT caps. Are you going inside while it is working? There is a nice, easy RGB mod to do at the same time.

https://8bitplus.co.uk/your-consoles/ne ... -upgrades/
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: I'm a hopless addict - PC Engine Duo inbound...

Post by rubber_jonnie »

alexh wrote: 06 Jun 2023 11:42
rubber_jonnie wrote: 06 Jun 2023 10:43 Ahh, yours is the R model, what's the difference, other than the obvious casing differences?
It's a cost-down. They removed the headphone jack and drive lock switch.
Ah, the old 'let's make it cheaper, with less stuff, give it a cooler name and charge the same for it' plan.

Not that the drive lock switch is particularly spectacular, it's just a mechanical lock for the CD open button. I think the headphone socket is useful 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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rubber_jonnie
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Re: I'm a hopless addict - PC Engine Duo inbound...

Post by rubber_jonnie »

alexh wrote: 06 Jun 2023 11:51 These consoles are known to suffer from SMT caps. Are you going inside while it is working? There is a nice, easy RGB mod to do at the same time.

https://8bitplus.co.uk/your-consoles/ne ... -upgrades/
Yeah, I already replaced a bunch of SMD caps in the video circuit, and will probably do the rest at some point in the near future, as I don't trust them.

I may do the RGB mod, but for the short term the composite out is actually not bad, though my opinion may change once I try a game on it. That CD-ROM fix is interesting too.

In fact that site has some interesting info on it, will have a proper look later.
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: I'm a hopless addict - PC Engine Duo inbound...

Post by rubber_jonnie »

My Japanese parcel has arrived :)

PXL_20230606_115157897.jpg
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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: I'm a hopless addict - PC Engine Duo inbound...

Post by stephen_usher »

Ooooooo........!
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: I'm a hopless addict - PC Engine Duo inbound...

Post by rubber_jonnie »

And here it all is, R-TYPE, a controller and a CD to test with :)

PXL_20230606_115754098.jpg

R-TYPE works lovely :)

PXL_20230606_120909326.jpg

And I think the CD problem is that the hub has dropped, as the CD is touching the case as it spins, so thanks to @alexh for the pointer to that :)
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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: I'm a hopless addict - PC Engine Duo inbound...

Post by rubber_jonnie »

And lifting the CD drive hub about .5mm now has the cd spinning properly and not catching on the case - and it works!!!

These from a Super CD called PATLABOR - Chapter of Griffin:

PXL_20230606_125955578.jpg

PXL_20230606_125926591.jpg

PXL_20230606_125815772.jpg

PXL_20230606_125619089.jpg

PXL_20230606_125613697.jpg

I'm very pleased with todays arrivals and efforts :)
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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: I'm a hopless addict - PC Engine Duo inbound...

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Ahh, R-TYPE is such a classic!!

PXL_20230606_132633731.jpg

I have to say, the image quality via my Dragon 32 composite/audio cable fed through my Retrotink to HDMI is really rather better than I could have hoped for.
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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: I'm a hopless addict - PC Engine Duo inbound...

Post by Higgy »

That is a cracking Composite picture.
I only have 1 CRT (out of quite a few :? ) that accepts a 60Hz composite signal and displays in colour. I suppose that is one of the main reasons for me RGB modding.
Your picture looks so good it goes not look worth fiddling about with.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: I'm a hopless addict - PC Engine Duo inbound...

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Higgy wrote: 06 Jun 2023 15:51 That is a cracking Composite picture.
I only have 1 CRT (out of quite a few :? ) that accepts a 60Hz composite signal and displays in colour. I suppose that is one of the main reasons for me RGB modding.
Your picture looks so good it goes not look worth fiddling about with.
I don't think I'll do the RGB mod, as you say it's a cracking picture, and the Dragon 32 cable also works fine for the sound as well.

I have to say, I struck lucky with that TV. It was a temporary fix for a dead TV in our bedroom years ago, but it will do 60Hz no problem and has a load of inputs. I got a similar one for £10 off ebay and that is good too, similar number of inputs, though a different aspect ratio. Both also have built in DVD players too :)
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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