ACORN A5000 inbound

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rubber_jonnie
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Re: ACORN A5000 inbound

Post by rubber_jonnie »

HigashiJun wrote: 30 Nov 2023 10:31
rubber_jonnie wrote: 30 Nov 2023 10:23 Don't forget the IDE supports a limited number of drives unless you use something like Wizzo, mine is just a 128MB IDE flash drive, I use SCSI for most stuff.

You'll need !hform IIRC to prep any IDE drives you want to use.
Yes, the onboard IDE is somehow limitated...

I plan to get myself a ZIDEFS IDE, and I already have the special !hform.
Good stuff. Do you have the mouse yet? If so can you open and run the Apps? You probably already know, but if you hit right CTRL + Right SHIFT and F12 it will go into shutdown mode.
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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HigashiJun
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Re: ACORN A5000 inbound

Post by HigashiJun »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 30 Nov 2023 10:54 Good stuff. Do you have the mouse yet? If so can you open and run the Apps? You probably already know, but if you hit right CTRL + Right SHIFT and F12 it will go into shutdown mode.
The mouse was released from the customs and should reach me tomorrow if I'm lucky.

Yes, I know this key combination. Very useful indeed.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: ACORN A5000 inbound

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HigashiJun wrote: 30 Nov 2023 11:06
rubber_jonnie wrote: 30 Nov 2023 10:54 Good stuff. Do you have the mouse yet? If so can you open and run the Apps? You probably already know, but if you hit right CTRL + Right SHIFT and F12 it will go into shutdown mode.
The mouse was released from the customs and should reach me tomorrow if I'm lucky.

Yes, I know this key combination. Very useful indeed.
:)
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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HigashiJun
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Re: ACORN A5000 inbound

Post by HigashiJun »

Thought I had finished all the traces repair today:

Side.JPG

One on the side.

Back.JPG

Two on the backside of the motherboard...

2tracks.JPG

And two from the 74HCT245T buffer


but I realised that there is no continuity here (see the red circle):

Issue.jpg

I need a smaller solder tip to perform this repair, and if it doesn't work, then I will have to de-solder the connector...

The tip is already ordered on Amazon and should be delivered soon, so I will be silent for 2 or 3 days.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: ACORN A5000 inbound

Post by rubber_jonnie »

I feel really bad for all my previous repairs now and want to do them all like yours, they are so neat, I love 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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HigashiJun
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Re: ACORN A5000 inbound

Post by HigashiJun »

@rubber_jonnie

Thanks you very much.

I always try to do the best I can, for me and even for others in case I plan to sell my machines.

What would you prefer to buy ? A retro computer with crap repairs or something decently fixed ?

I opt for the second solution.

Even if it takes more time, I think these old machines deserve it.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: ACORN A5000 inbound

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HigashiJun wrote: 01 Dec 2023 11:24 @rubber_jonnie

Thanks you very much.

I always try to do the best I can, for me and even for others in case I plan to sell my machines.

What would you prefer to buy ? A retro computer with crap repairs or something decently fixed ?

I opt for the second solution.

Even if it takes more time, I think these old machines deserve it.
For me it has so far been about making things work, as I am a little 'clunky' so fine work is a bit harder, but I am trying to improve as it increases satisfaction levels when you fix or mod something beautifully :)
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: ACORN A5000 inbound

Post by stephen_usher »

HigashiJun wrote: 01 Dec 2023 11:24 @rubber_jonnie

Thanks you very much.

I always try to do the best I can, for me and even for others in case I plan to sell my machines.

What would you prefer to buy ? A retro computer with crap repairs or something decently fixed ?

I opt for the second solution.

Even if it takes more time, I think these old machines deserve it.
I admit that I just use bodge wires between the end targets of the traces. At least that shows where the fixes have been made.

Given that manufacturers used the same techniques in production for hot fixes to PCBs I don't see that it's a shortcut or messy.
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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HigashiJun
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Re: ACORN A5000 inbound

Post by HigashiJun »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 01 Dec 2023 11:31 ..., but I am trying to improve as it increases satisfaction levels when you fix or mod something beautifully :)
Yup, I totally agree.

8-)
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HigashiJun
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Re: ACORN A5000 inbound

Post by HigashiJun »

stephen_usher wrote: 01 Dec 2023 11:46 I admit that I just use bodge wires between the end targets of the traces. At least that shows where the fixes have been made.

Given that manufacturers used the same techniques in production for hot fixes to PCBs I don't see that it's a shortcut or messy.
I also like the visual aspect of such repairs, that's why aesthetics matters for me.

Bodge wires can also look nice, but it depends on how they are routed.

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