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Egyptian Enterprise 64 number 2

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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Egyptian Enterprise 64 number 2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

OK, so the L2 mod simply provides a stable 14Mhz clock to Nick as it would seem the circuit that generates it gets unstable over the years.

Could I simply use one of the clock outputs on one of my clock boards to replace this?

More thinking required :)
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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alexh
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Re: Egyptian Enterprise 64 number 2

Post by alexh »

I haven't been able to get a login on that forum so I can't see the pictures or download the schematics/diagrams in the thread I referenced for "The L2" fix.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Egyptian Enterprise 64 number 2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

alexh wrote: Thu Oct 22, 2026 11:35 am I haven't been able to get a login on that forum so I can't see the pictures or download the schematics/diagrams in the thread I referenced for "The L2" fix.
So here's the thing, I've been able to get on and frankly there isn't much to see.

Essentially the OP stated that whilst adjusting L2 on their machine the core broke and a replacement adjustable inductor couldn't be found.

Basically he removed this part of the circuit entirely from his machine as it wasn't working:

Screenshot 2026-10-22 at 12.04.30.png
Screenshot 2026-10-22 at 12.04.30.png (426 KiB) Viewed 25 times

And replaced it with an oscillator that generates the 14Mhz clock that goes to Nick. I could do that with my clock replacement board, however I may consider seeing if L2 on this machine can be adjusted with the correct tool and that may be enough to change the shimmer.
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: Egyptian Enterprise 64 number 2

Post by PhilC »

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, messing with that may cause the whole thing to misfunction.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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Re: Egyptian Enterprise 64 number 2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

So case repairs done this morning :)

I started off by melting some staples across the cracks to help stabilise:

PXL_20261022_100939881.jpg
PXL_20261022_100939881.jpg (242.62 KiB) Viewed 19 times

Then I added GRP strips and UV hardening resin to add strength:

PXL_20261022_104503626.jpg
PXL_20261022_104503626.jpg (271.56 KiB) Viewed 19 times

I didn't add staples to the other machine since the case was just cracked, however since the case for this one was actually in 2 parts I felt the staples would give a bit more strength to the repair. They were just melted in with the soldering iron.

The case looks good now :)

PXL_20261022_104906864.jpg
PXL_20261022_104906864.jpg (317.32 KiB) Viewed 19 times

Yes, there are visible cracks on the outside, but unless I was filling them, sanding and painting the whole case they will always be there. For me thats the patina of age and I'm good with it.

My replacement keyboard membrane is in the post, so I need to do a few things with the mainboard, like look at the L2 thing and try out RGB 2 HDMI before I get round to reassembling.

Next up though the CPU is getting socketed so I can figure out wether or not the RAM IC is bad or the CPU.
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: Egyptian Enterprise 64 number 2

Post by stephen_usher »

That 14MHz clock circuit is very voltage sensitive. Undervolt it on the +12V and becomes very unstable.
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Re: Egyptian Enterprise 64 number 2

Post by PhilC »

Nice idea with the staples, been meaning to try something similar for a while bow
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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Re: Egyptian Enterprise 64 number 2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Thu Oct 22, 2026 12:14 pm If it ain't broke, don't fix it, messing with that may cause the whole thing to misfunction.
Yeah, starting to get bad vibes about messing with it TBH, it's been through so much and just works.
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: Egyptian Enterprise 64 number 2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: Thu Oct 22, 2026 12:29 pm That 14MHz clock circuit is very voltage sensitive. Undervolt it on the +12V and becomes very unstable.
Noted thanks.
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: Egyptian Enterprise 64 number 2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Thu Oct 22, 2026 12:57 pm Nice idea with the staples, been meaning to try something similar for a while bow
For a while there were these kits that had wiggly metal 'staples' for fixing car plastics such as bumpers etc.

Seemed like a repeatable thing with staples on a smaller scale and it worked very well.
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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