Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Posted: 02 Aug 2026 18:36
:lol: :thumbup:
You can tidy my workshop if you like next ;)
You can tidy my workshop if you like next ;)
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PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
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You can tidy my workshop if you like next ;)
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Posted: 02 Aug 2026 18:37
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Posted: 25 Aug 2026 16:43
Bit of something different today from my usual fixing.
This is a PSU that gives out multiple different voltages but not until the "safety" circuit has been made.
As it turns out the PCB next to the two big caps is where the safety circuit and PSU fan voltages are created. It took me a while to find it but there was a shorted out tantalum cap right in the middle of the board. So now the fan spins up when the PSU is powered on, so time to reassemble it and try it back in the computer.
Wish me luck :lol:
This is a PSU that gives out multiple different voltages but not until the "safety" circuit has been made.
- PXL_20260825_153812403.jpg (254.38 KiB) Viewed 75 times
As it turns out the PCB next to the two big caps is where the safety circuit and PSU fan voltages are created. It took me a while to find it but there was a shorted out tantalum cap right in the middle of the board. So now the fan spins up when the PSU is powered on, so time to reassemble it and try it back in the computer.
Wish me luck :lol:
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Posted: 25 Aug 2026 17:01
Beware the magic smoke 🤣PhilC wrote: 25 Aug 2026 16:43 Bit of something different today from my usual fixing.
This is a PSU that gives out multiple different voltages but not until the "safety" circuit has been made.
PXL_20260825_153812403.jpg
As it turns out the PCB next to the two big caps is where the safety circuit and PSU fan voltages are created. It took me a while to find it but there was a shorted out tantalum cap right in the middle of the board. So now the fan spins up when the PSU is powered on, so time to reassemble it and try it back in the computer.
Wish me luck :lol:
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Posted: 25 Aug 2026 17:12
@rubber_jonnie no magic black smoke yet.
And this is what the PSU is connected to. Always had a bit of a thing for Amber monitors and this fits the bills nicely.
Just got to try and make some Setup disks for it now.
- PXL_20260825_160925856.LONG_EXPOSURE-01.jpg (284.99 KiB) Viewed 68 times
And this is what the PSU is connected to. Always had a bit of a thing for Amber monitors and this fits the bills nicely.
Just got to try and make some Setup disks for it now.
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Posted: 25 Aug 2026 18:23
Nice machine @PhilC :dualthumbup:
What exactly is it?
Looks very nostalgic for me, as Im sure my uncle John used to bring one of those home from work (and let me play that angle shooting tanks game - a bit like a predecessor to worms - as well as - ahem - Leisure Suit Larry).
What exactly is it?
Looks very nostalgic for me, as Im sure my uncle John used to bring one of those home from work (and let me play that angle shooting tanks game - a bit like a predecessor to worms - as well as - ahem - Leisure Suit Larry).
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Posted: 25 Aug 2026 19:00
@mrbombermillzy it's a Compaq Portable III. It's a bit beaten up, with cracked case and the 386 keyboard on it rather than the 286 one but that fits with my type of collection, working but had a hard life, just like me :lol:
It's a 286 PC, 5 1/4" floppy, hard drive of unknown size right now but all seems to work now.
It just needed a whole load of tantalum caps replaced on the PSU and motherboard.
It's a 286 PC, 5 1/4" floppy, hard drive of unknown size right now but all seems to work now.
It just needed a whole load of tantalum caps replaced on the PSU and motherboard.
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Posted: 25 Aug 2026 19:18
Im pretty sure thats what he used to bring home. First time he brought it, I thought it was a plastic cased sewing machine. :lol:
Will have to ask him when I next speak to him. :)
Also, very inappropriate to ask... if it runs Doom. :lol: :hide:
Will have to ask him when I next speak to him. :)
Also, very inappropriate to ask... if it runs Doom. :lol: :hide:
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Posted: 25 Aug 2026 19:47
I think it might need a little more ram, let alone the fact that it's got a CGA display :lol:mrbombermillzy wrote: 25 Aug 2026 19:18 Im pretty sure thats what he used to bring home. First time he brought it, I thought it was a plastic cased sewing machine. :lol:
Will have to ask him when I next speak to him. :)
Also, very inappropriate to ask... if it runs Doom. :lol: :hide:
Re: PhilCs blog / the latest things hes broken(fixed)
Posted: 25 Aug 2026 19:55
Well, Im bringing a C64 that'll run Doom to CL5, so never say never! :lol:PhilC wrote: 25 Aug 2026 19:47 I think it might need a little more ram, let alone the fact that it's got a CGA display :lol:
Has it actually got a (digital) RGB out port, or are we talking strictly monochrome Amber here?
If the former, there were some cool 1024 colour CGA demos released a while ago. :)