Libretto 100CT - Will it live again!!

[rubber_jonnie]

In line with my usual random hopping around projects, I pulled the Libretto 100CT off the shelf to see if I could make any sort of headway in getting it running again.

It's not a machine that's new to me, but stopped working some time ago and I just didn't have the tools/skills at the time to fix it, so I didn't try, but held onto it anyway.

I pulled it apart for a good inspection and clean of the major plug connectors:

PXL_20240101_130400405.jpg (332.41 KiB) Viewed 1926 times

And to make some repairs to the case, which is pretty fragile.

Overall it seems positive, as I powered it on and I'm getting the HDD spinning up and a CMOS error on the screen, so I at least know there is some sort of life. I have an old CMOS battery, and I should be able to replace it and re-use the cable, hopefully then I can reassemble and get the BIOS set and get booting again, fingers crossed for a successful afternoon.

[rubber_jonnie]

Well, that went a bit quicker than I thought it would!!! First off I found a small enough battery and made a new BIOS battery from the old leads:

PXL_20240101_155714291.jpg (218.2 KiB) Viewed 1910 times

It's just a simple non rechargeable battery, so nothing terribly complex. It all booted just fine to its original drive:

PXL_20240101_161722471.jpg (259.14 KiB) Viewed 1910 times

At that point I plugged in the PCMCIA FDD drive to see if it was all good, and it worked just fine:

PXL_20240101_163311884.jpg (285.35 KiB) Viewed 1910 times

Which was a good sign that it was working as advertised.

I then remembered that I had a 32MB expander, and I'd put it in my spares drawer after the last time I pulled it apart, but didn't refit it, so a quick look in the drawer and there it was:

PXL_20240101_162451436.jpg (165.68 KiB) Viewed 1910 times

I cleaned the computer and RAM board connectors, and there it was in both the BIOS and in Windows, which was a relief

I've also glued the missing bit of plastic at the hinge point back on, and whilst not perfect, it certainly improves the aesthetics.

PXL_20240101_162848099.jpg (240.5 KiB) Viewed 1910 times

PXL_20240101_163013995.jpg (256.7 KiB) Viewed 1910 times

I do have concerns about the HDD, it's clunking rather more than I think it should be, so I need to see if I can clone that off onto another drive at some point.

I also need to see if I can dig up the drivers for the dock I have with it, as that adds USB amongst other things, so it'd be useful to have it working.

Overall, very happy with my first fix of 2024

[stephen_usher]

[HigashiJun]

[rubber_jonnie]

@stephen_usher @HigashiJun

Thanks both