Gammitin (Ben) 💾

The 50Mhz oscillator, with one leg that fell off, yay 😭

Tomorrow I've a bit of time, so I was really looking forward to some troubleshooting on this TOMCAT286 board, which supports 25Mhz 286 CPU's (crashes in a few seconds). Got everything setup, then disaster, notice there's nothing on the oscilloscope (connected to the clock pin 😞

Simpler times eh!

25Mhz 286 😍

HP P3508-69001 - Dual Intel Pentium III (Tualatin)

Looking forward to the next one! 👍

Here's my full repair on a single page, for anyone interested:
threadreaderapp.com/thread/20198...

Time for a little fun, then it's on the next project, thanks for following along 🙏

Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128K +2A - Repair, here's a summary of what I did:
✅ Pieced together the smashed case
✅ Made and RGB Scart cable
✅ Installed USB C PSU
✅ Installed an Aux input
✅ Replaced faulty DRAM
✅ Refurbed tape deck
✅ Deep cleaned KBD
✅ Made a Joystick Converter

Wow, well that was a really fun project, I love fixing up these systems I've not used before as it's a great learning journey.
Here's some final front and back shots, all back together and fully functional:

Happy Friday folks, it's the weekend, whoop whoop.
Whatever you're up to have fun! 👍

A retro-computing workbench under a skylight, filled with vintage computers and monitors. On the desk are a beige Commodore VIC‑20, a Commodore 64, and a Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2 arranged side by side on a green cutting mat. To the right sits a grey MSX computer beneath a large CRT monitor, while two LCD monitors are mounted on the left. Small astronaut figurines hang along the back panel above tools and electronics equipment, giving the workspace a playful look. The bench appears set up for repairing or experimenting with classic 8-bit home computers.

None of these worked when I bought them, such a good feeling to get them up and running again over the past 5/6 months. Also feels good to clean my bench up!
(The VIC-20 still needs cleaning though 😂)

🍎

There we go:
USB-C ✅
Power Switch ✅
Aux Input ✅

Power switch added:

I've mounted the Pico PSU in a way that it's firm, but can also be slid out if I need to.
I now need to add a power switch.

I know social media algorithms aren't as good at showing replies as easily as the first post in a thread. If you'd like to see how I'm getting on with this repair, here's the link to the latest update.
Really close to finishing now, all I need to do is mount the new PSU:
bsky.app/profile/gamm...

MacBook Neo? 🤔

So I tried an internal Bluetooth module, but the power rail was too noisy for it unfortunately. I do however have another Bluetooth option, a Bluetooth tape (I've switched off the motor power to keep things nice and quiet).

I'm not a fan of drilling holes in retro computer cases, but I've made an exception for this, as the case was already smashed up when I got it - it's never going to be perfect anyway.

The USB-C PD Pico PSU has been cut down and is ready to be mounted inside.

Before
/
After

🧽🧼🪥🫧🚿

I've deep cleaned the keyboard now, it was disgusting as you can see here:

My kind of Tuesday night! 👍

It's fantastic, I've ordered a Bluetooth module for this now too, should be fun!

Apple iBook (1999)

Wow, it works and very well!

Time to do a quick test:

Thanks @mogwaay.bsky.social 🙏🙏🙏