I do like a quick fix!

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rubber_jonnie
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I do like a quick fix!

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Well, I had a look at the Speccy today, all set for a fair session of troubleshooting.

As it turned out, the diagnosis took less than 30 minutes, it was a broken power lead just inside the strain relief of the PSU. So no continuity one end to the other, but no visible damage.

A quick trim of the cable and a resolder job inside the PSU and hey presto, back to the land of the living!!

IMG_20211212_183901.jpg

Considering the machine is connected via UHF to the TV, the picture is really rather good. I did have to remind myself that the sound came from the internal speaker though, and not the TV like the A8s and C64, and that I had to turn the volume down to 0!

I was worried that the keyboard membrane was dead, as some keys weren't working when I tested, but the ribbons were in pretty good condition, so I just cleaned with a bit of Electrolube, plugged them all back in and off we go.

I guess that means it's Mac Classic time next :)
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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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mrbombermillzy
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Re: I do like a quick fix!

Post by mrbombermillzy »

Hey, you do know that if you file the writing off the top and stick a massive black heatsink on the side its worth £100+ more on Ebay? :lol:
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: I do like a quick fix!

Post by rubber_jonnie »

mrbombermillzy wrote: 12 Dec 2021 19:29 Hey, you do know that if you file the writing off the top and stick a massive black heatsink on the side its worth £100+ more on Ebay? :lol:
:lol:

Who doesn't love a toast rack Speccy, but man you are right about prices!!

EDIT: There is a boxed one on eBay right now for £749!!!
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: I do like a quick fix!

Post by stephen_usher »

:D :dualthumbup:
I love it when a plan comes together.
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 do like a quick fix!

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: 12 Dec 2021 19:32 :D :dualthumbup:
I love it when a plan comes together.
Hell yeah!
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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mrbombermillzy
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Re: I do like a quick fix!

Post by mrbombermillzy »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 12 Dec 2021 19:31
EDIT: There is a boxed one on eBay right now for £749!!!
:dizzy:

This is a situation where the joke isn't even as ludicrous as the truth! Damn.

Anyway, be thankful for the easy fix. Time for a quick high five and onto the next one then. :)
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: I do like a quick fix!

Post by rubber_jonnie »

mrbombermillzy wrote: 12 Dec 2021 19:51
rubber_jonnie wrote: 12 Dec 2021 19:31
EDIT: There is a boxed one on eBay right now for £749!!!
:dizzy:

This is a situation where the joke isn't even as ludicrous as the truth! Damn.

Anyway, be thankful for the easy fix. Time for a quick high five and onto the next one then. :)
Yep, the truth is stranger than fiction for sure!

A quick high five indeed sir 😁

The next one is back to my Mac Classic, which has already taken me a lot longer than 30 minutes, and it's still dead 😟
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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mrbombermillzy
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Re: I do like a quick fix!

Post by mrbombermillzy »

rubber_jonnie wrote: 12 Dec 2021 20:36
The next one is back to my Mac Classic, which has already taken me a lot longer than 30 minutes, and it's still dead 😟
Not really much use with Macs Im afraid. However, I recommended this book to someone else here a while ago and it seemed to help:

The_Dead_Mac_Scrolls.pdf

Good Luck! ;)
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: I do like a quick fix!

Post by rubber_jonnie »

mrbombermillzy wrote: 12 Dec 2021 23:47
rubber_jonnie wrote: 12 Dec 2021 20:36
The next one is back to my Mac Classic, which has already taken me a lot longer than 30 minutes, and it's still dead 😟
Not really much use with Macs Im afraid. However, I recommended this book to someone else here a while ago and it seemed to help:


The_Dead_Mac_Scrolls.pdf


Good Luck! ;)
Thanks, I already have that one, but you're right, it is a good book :)

TBH I think the logic board is dead, but I do have a replacement :)
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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