When I first started collecting vintage computers, I promised myself that I wouldn’t buy floppy disk drives – they’re expensive, they’re unreliable, they take up a lot of room, and there are a range of modern equivalents available for loading files (such as the SD2IEC), so what was the point? Then I ended up gettingContinue reading “Commodore 1541 5.25″ FDD Repair & Modification”
Author Archives: themightymadman
Commodore Plus/4 Board Repairs
Alongside purchasing complete systems, over the past few years I’ve also accumulated a large quantity of incomplete circuit boards for “spares and repairs”, primarily from Commodore computers (VIC-20, VIC-20CR, C64, C64C, C16, Plus/4, C128, etc). I got these for cheap in various job lots, with the intention of fixing up as many as possible andContinue reading “Commodore Plus/4 Board Repairs”
Commodore VIC-20 (2-Prong) Board Repairs
Alongside purchasing complete systems, over the past few years I’ve also accumulated a large quantity of incomplete circuit boards for “spares and repairs”, primarily from Commodore computers (VIC-20, VIC-20CR, C64, C64C, C16, Plus/4, C128, etc). I got these for cheap in various job lots, with the intention of fixing up as many as possible andContinue reading “Commodore VIC-20 (2-Prong) Board Repairs”
Commodore C16 Board Repairs
Alongside purchasing complete systems, over the past few years I’ve also accumulated a large quantity of incomplete circuit boards for “spares and repairs”, primarily from Commodore computers (VIC-20, VIC-20CR, C64, C64C, C16, Plus/4, C128, etc). I got these for cheap in various job lots, with the intention of fixing up as many as possible andContinue reading “Commodore C16 Board Repairs”
Commodore VIC-20 (CR) Board Repairs
Alongside purchasing complete systems, over the past few years I’ve also accumulated a large quantity of incomplete circuit boards for “spares and repairs”, primarily from Commodore computers (VIC-20, VIC-20CR, C64, C64C, C16, Plus/4, C128, etc). I got these for cheap in various job lots, with the intention of fixing up as many as possible andContinue reading “Commodore VIC-20 (CR) Board Repairs”
Recycling Scrap Components into Decorative Collectables
Restoring vintage electronics can lead to a lot of waste being produced – failed ICs, failed components, irreparable circuit boards, and irreparable plastic case parts are usually the main offenders. As all of this kit is original and irreplaceable, and to try to do my part for the environment, I try to recycle my electronicsContinue reading “Recycling Scrap Components into Decorative Collectables”
Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128k+ “Toastrack” Restoration
I’ve owned several different Sinclair ZX Spectrum computers over the past couple of years, but I hadn’t got my hands on a 128k+ at this point, so I set about looking to get one for my collection. Eventually, a machine in good, boxed, but untested condition with peripherals popped up on Facebook Marketplace – afterContinue reading “Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128k+ “Toastrack” Restoration”
Acorn Electron Repair & Restoration
A little while back, I was given a 1984 Acorn Electron by a friend – it had just been pulled out of his parents’ loft, so as you could imagine, it was in pretty rough shape. I’ve owned a few Electrons now, and they’re fun to work on, so I decided to fix it up.Continue reading “Acorn Electron Repair & Restoration”
Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128k+3 Restoration
I’ve owned several different Sinclair ZX Spectrum computers over the past couple of years, but I hadn’t got my hands on a 128k+3 at this point, so I set about looking to get one for my collection – eventually, a machine in good, boxed, but untested condition with peripherals popped up on eBay, and IContinue reading “Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128k+3 Restoration”
Commodore SX-64 Restoration
Two years ago, I got my hands on a machine that I’d been after for quite some time: a 1984 Commodore SX-64 portable computer – “portable” is hardly the optimal word, given that these machines weigh in around 10.5KG, but this was a revolutionary concept for the time. The SX-64 is effectively a Commodore 64Continue reading “Commodore SX-64 Restoration”