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”
Category Archives: Restoration
Commodore C128D(CR) Restoration
Three years ago, around the time I was first starting to collect vintage computer equipment, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Commodore C128D(CR) 8-bit computer and matching 1084S-D2 CRT monitor. The C128D(CR) is the later cost-reduced version of the C128D, featuring a metal case and combined mainboard / drive board withContinue reading “Commodore C128D(CR) Restoration”
2001 Sony Playstation2 Repair
I recently repaired my partner’s childhood Playstation2, which had been confined to the loft at some point in the noughties when it stopped reading disks. After finding it and getting it down from the loft, I wanted to test it to make sure that the problem was still as described. Sure enough, the Playstation2 startedContinue reading “2001 Sony Playstation2 Repair”
Commodore 1084S CRT Monitor Restoration
Three years ago, around the time I was first starting to collect vintage computer equipment, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Commodore C128D 8-bit computer and matching 1084S-D2 CRT monitor. According to the previous owner, the monitor seemed to work okay except for a broken power switch, which wouldn’t stay engagedContinue reading “Commodore 1084S CRT Monitor Restoration”
Amiga 1200 Restoration & Upgrades
I’ve been slowly but surely branching out into Amigas from Commodore’s 8-bit range of computers, and as such I recently got my hands on my first Commodore Amiga 1200. The A1200 is a 32-bit computer from the 1990s, and is effectively a more capable version of the A600, featuring a 14MHz 68020 CPU (as opposedContinue reading “Amiga 1200 Restoration & Upgrades”
Restoring a Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k for Charity
This April, I’m raffling off a refurbished ZX Spectrum 48k bundle for charity – I recently bought a boxed Spectrum that would be ideal for this purpose, but obviously for this to be “refurbished”, it required refurbishing. Details of the process are below. I bought the Spectrum as partially tested from a chap in HullContinue reading “Restoring a Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k for Charity”
Upgrading an Acorn BBC Model B
I recently won a charity auction for a BBC Model B bundle on eBay (see my original blog post here, and CRT restoration here). The Model B was a common sight in British schools during the 1980s thanks to the BBC’s Computer Literacy Project. It’s common for certain components in vintage electronics to deteriorate withContinue reading “Upgrading an Acorn BBC Model B”
Microvitec CUB 1431-MS CRT Monitor Restoration
I recently won a charity auction for a BBC Model B bundle on eBay (see my original blog post here), which included a Microvitec CUB 1431-MS CRT colour monitor, a common sight in British schools during the 1980s thanks to the BBC’s Computer Literacy Project. The monitor was rather worse for wear: it was coveredContinue reading “Microvitec CUB 1431-MS CRT Monitor Restoration”
My *New* Acorn BBC Model B
I recently won an eBay charity auction for a BBC Model B “Micro”, which came bundled with a Microvitec CUB CRT monitor, an Opus 5802 5.25″ FDD, and some miscellaneous items like joysticks and boxed games. What’s especially interesting about this machine is that it has been signed by Stephen Furber, the principal hardware engineerContinue reading “My *New* Acorn BBC Model B”
My *New* Dragon 32
I recently bought a Dragon 32, yet another 1980s 8-bit computer to add to my collection. I’ve owned several in the past but none of these came with a working power supply, which are difficult to replicate, so I’ve been looking forward to putting this one through its paces. The computer was basically new inContinue reading “My *New* Dragon 32”