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Commodore CBM 4032 (40 Columns) Repair

August 31st, 2014 No comments

Commodore CBM 4032 (40 Columns) Repair

Defect:

  • “Device not present” error when using the IEEE 488 port (Example Floppy Drive)
  • Sometimes the computer show the prompt of the TIM monitor (Machine Language Monitor program)

Replaced parts:

  • Replaced 1 x IC 6522 VIA (UB15)
  • Replaced 1 x IC 6520 PIA (UB16)

Commodore PET 2001-8C (Chiclet Keyboard) MOS 6550 Ram version

August 24th, 2014 No comments

This Commodore PET 2001-8C also includes a homemade Power Amplifier to hear the sound of some games that use the pin CB2 of the User Port as audio output.

Also is included a reset button and two mini-led (Red / Green) that display the data (Save / Load) when using the tape recorder.

Some photos of the Commodore PET 2001-8C:

Copyright label on the motherboard:

Some photos of the repairing and cleaning:

Commodore PET 2001 (Chicklet) Repair datassette.

Defects:

  • Doesn’t load any more.

Repair:

  • Replace motor.
  • Replace belt.
  • Azimuth adjustment.

Thanks to Manosoft for the spare parts (white datassette, the same model of the black one)

Commodore PET 2001 (Chicklet) Repair.

Defects:

  • Wrong chars on the screen.
  • Memory problems.

Repair:

  • Replaced all MOS 6550 main ram with an 6550 Ram Adapter by xAD & Manosoft (only 2 x MOS 6550 was faults)
  • Replaced 1 x MOS 6550 Video Ram with a spare one from the main ram.

Video of Galaxy Invaders with Sounds:

from Wikipedia homepage:

The Commodore PET (Personal Electronic Transactor) was a home/personal computer produced in 1977 by Commodore International. A top-seller in the Canadian and United States educational markets, it was Commodore’s first full-featured computer, and formed the basis for their entire 8-bit product line.

Read more…

Commodore PET 2001 – 6550 Ram Adapter by xAD & Manosoft

August 19th, 2014 8 comments
Commodore PET 2001 - 6550 Ram Adapter by xAD & Manosoft

Gallery:

This adapter replaces all ram installed in the Commodore PET 2001 with a 6264 Static Ram and is useful when one or more ram are faulty. These type of ram are no longer available to purchase.

NOTE: This adapter will only work to replace a chip with a part number starting with MPS 6550. They will NOT replace other RAM types used in Commodore computers other than the original Commodore PET 2001.

The original design was done by Donni of the VCF forum (Vintage Computer Forums).

Unfortunately these pcb have a design problem, below the fix which needs to be done (i always forgot to post this fix, sorry)

Download: Original printable version by Donni (1183)

Restoration the external box of the Micro Peripherals Floppy Disk Drive

August 16th, 2014 1 comment

Gallery:

Restoration the external case of the Micro Peripherals Ltd Floppy Disk Drive that was eaten by rust.

Cleaning the keyboard keys is really tedious

August 9th, 2014 2 comments
Cleaning the keyboard keys is really tedious

Gallery:

Cleaning the keyboard keys is really tedious.

Commodore 4032 (FAT40) / 8032 CRT Replacement

August 8th, 2014 3 comments
CBM 4032 (FAT40) - 8032 Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Replacement

Gallery:

Commodore CBM(PET) 4032 (FAT40) / 8032 Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Replacement.

The cathode ray tube was taken from the Amstrad GT-65 (Monochrome monitor)

The CRT Tube Orion 310GNB31 (Amstrad GT-65) is fully compatible with the Amperex M31-334GH (CBM 4032/FAT40 – 8032).

NOTE: The same CRT work perfectly for the computer Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 3 and Model 4.

Commodore 16 ASSY 251789-01 REV B Empty PCB

July 24th, 2014 1 comment
Commodore 16 ASSY 251789-01 REV B Empty PCB

Gallery:

Commodore 16 ASSY 251789-01 REV B Empty PCB

Commodore VIC-20 ASSY 251040-01 Empty PCB

July 22nd, 2014 1 comment
Commodore VIC-20 ASSY 251040-01 Empty PCB

Gallery:

Commodore VIC-20 ASSY 251040-01 Empty PCB.

2 x Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Repair

July 18th, 2014 1 comment
Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Repair

Gallery of the repair:

Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Repair (#1)

Defect:

  • Blue Screen with tiny Vertical lines.

Replaced parts:

  • 1 x MCM6810P (128 x 8-Bit Random-Access Memory TTL/DTL)

Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Repair (#2)

Defect:

  • Blue Screen with tiny Vertical lines.
  • Wave/Raster Lines.

Replaced parts:

  • 2 x IC MCM6810P (128 x 8-Bit Random-Access Memory TTL/DTL)
  • 1 x IC CD3236A-NL (ROM)
  • 1 x Capacitor 12 pF.

Note:

In one photo you can see the curious change made in this TI-99/4A by inserting a resistor in the pitch where in other motherboards is soldered a leg of a electrolytic capacitor and then one leg of the capacitor is welded and the not the other leg.  Compliments.

Video of the defects:

Repair Commodore Amiga 600 (White Screen)

July 9th, 2014 1 comment
Repair Commodore Amiga 600 (White Screen)

Gallery of the repair:

Repair Commodore Amiga 600 (White Screen)

Defect:

  • White Screen.

Replaced parts:

  • 1 x LM555 (SMD)
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 10uf 25v

Note:

I have thought it was a problem of RAM (U17) since i have measured oddities but the problem instead is a capacitor of 10uF, dead LM555 (smd) and some pcb tracks corroded.

Repair Philips 8220 (MSX2) Black Screen with Sound

July 9th, 2014 1 comment
Repair Philips 8220 (MSX2) Black Screen with Sound

Repair Philips 8220 (MSX2) Black Screen with Sound.

Defect:

  • Black Screen but with sound (keyboard works)

Replaced parts:

  • 2 x Fuse 250v 315ma
  • 4 x Tantalum Capacitor 22uf 6v
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 100uf 25v

Note:

The main problem was caused by the lack of +12 volts that power the RGB Encoder module. The other voltage of -12 volts are used only for the cartridges port (but not all cartridges using this voltage)

Philips NMS 8245 (MSX2) Floppy Drive replacement

July 7th, 2014 2 comments
Philips NMS 8245 Floppy Drive adapter

I wanted to do a experiment to install a standard PC drive with a adapter (34 pins to 14 pins) on a Philips 8245. I would say that it work but i have tried about 20 Floppy Drives and only 1 it works ;-D

Gallery:

DownloadPhilips NMS 8245 (MSX2) Floppy Drive replacement (1118)

source: msx.hansotten.com

Phonola NMS 8245 (MSX 2) Repair

July 2nd, 2014 8 comments
Phonola NMS 8245 (MSX 2) Repair

Gallery of the repair:

Phonola NMS 8245 (MSX 2) Repair.

Defect:

  • Dirty characters/graphics.
  • Floppy Drive dead.

Replaced parts:

  • 1 x 41464 Video RAM (U16)
  • 1 x Floppy drive belt

Other:

  • Frame cartridge connector fix for a easy removal of the components under the frame.

Apple //e Repair & Cleaning

July 2nd, 2014 No comments
Apple //e Repair

Removing the filter capacitors that are exploded inside the Astec power supply of a Apple //e.

Gallery of the repair and cleaning:

Fujitsu FM Towns II PSU Repair

June 29th, 2014 5 comments
Fujitsu FM Towns II Repair

I start to saying how much i hate repairing psu switching, one of the most boring things second only to the repair of CRT Monitor, at least for me.

However this repair was made. The failure is almost certainly caused by a copious spillage of electrolyte (conductive fluid usually formed from a salt solution or acid which is located inside of the electrolytic capacitors) and a dangerous test if the machine works again after the electrolyte was leaking over the pcb.

The moral of the story is easy to figure out, a short circuit has made several deaths, a good portion of the Primary (PWM) and Secondary.

The components that have been replaced are the following:

  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 3300µF 16v 105°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 1000µF 25v 105°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 2200µF 35v 105°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 1000µF 100v 105°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 330µF 160v 105°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 47µF 25v 85°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 10µF 100v 85°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 22µF 25v 85°
  • 1 x Sanken Hybrid Voltage Reculator Module STR 53041
  • 1 x Photocoupler TLP 541G
  • 1 x Overcurrent Protection Elements ICP N10
  • 1 x Transistor C1815GR
  • 1 x Transistor DTC114 ESA (C114 ESA)

After 1 week i have decided to replace also all capacitors of the power supply section of the computer.

Components replaced:

  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 3300µF 25v 105°
  • 3 x Electrolytic Capacitor 5600µF 10v 105°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 2200µF 10v 105°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 330µF 35v 105°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 1000µF 16v 105°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 470µF 25v 105°
  • 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor 1µF 50v 105°

Gallery of the repair: