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!!
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 :)
I do like a quick fix!
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rubber_jonnie
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I do like a quick fix!
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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...
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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- Joined: 03 Jun 2018 19:37
Re: I do like a quick fix!
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!
:lol: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:
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...
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!
:D :dualthumbup:
I love it when a plan comes together.
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.
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
- Site Admin

- Posts: 14888
- Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
- Location: Essex
Re: I do like a quick fix!
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...
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
- Moderator

- Posts: 2284
- Joined: 03 Jun 2018 19:37
Re: I do like a quick fix!
: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
- Site Admin

- Posts: 14888
- Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
- Location: Essex
Re: I do like a quick fix!
Yep, the truth is stranger than fiction for sure!mrbombermillzy wrote: 12 Dec 2021 19:51: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. :)
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...
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
- Moderator

- Posts: 2284
- Joined: 03 Jun 2018 19:37
Re: I do like a quick fix!
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: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 😟
Good Luck! ;)
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rubber_jonnie
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- Posts: 14888
- Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
- Location: Essex
Re: I do like a quick fix!
Thanks, I already have that one, but you're right, it is a good book :)mrbombermillzy wrote: 12 Dec 2021 23:47Not really much use with Macs Im afraid. However, I recommended this book to someone else here a while ago and it seemed to help: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 😟
The_Dead_Mac_Scrolls.pdf
Good Luck! ;)
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...
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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