Introduction I recently received a nonworking Atari 800XL that would boot straight to the built-in RAM test instead of the Ready prompt. It failed the RAM test almost completely with a grade of âFâ. I discovered when I cracked it open that it was loaded with cheap Micron Technology (MT) DRAM 64Kx1 RAM chips
Read postBuild a 2-in-1 Dead and Diagnostic Test Cartridge for Diagnosing Non-Working Commodore 64s (1-2 hrs)
Task: Build a 2-in-1 Dead and Diagnostic Test Cartridge for Diagnosing Non-Working Commodore 64s Needed: 2-in-1 circuit board, two EEPROM chips, an EEPROM programmer, two 100 nF capacitors, soldering iron, cartridge case and screw(s) Time: 1-2 hours Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from
Read postCase Studies in Retro Computer Repair (#9): Diagnosing and Fixing a Commodore 64 with Intermittent Black Screen and Nonworking Keyboard by Reflowing Cold Solder Joints
Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction This Commodore 64 with a 250407 Revision B board came in a lot six nonworking computers that I purchased from eBay. This one seemed to boot but was flaky and would sometimes crash or
Read postPurchase a Desoldering Iron for Removing Bad Chips from Retro Computer Circuit Boards (30-60 mins)
Task: Purchase a Desoldering Iron for Removing Bad Chips from Atari 8-Bit Computer Circuit Boards Needed: Desoldering Iron, Circuit Board, Hot Air Rework Station Time: 30-60 minutes Introduction Repairing retro computers inevitably requires removing and replacing bad chips. Some circuit boards include sockets that make removal easy. The new chip
Read postPurchase a Soldering Station for Retro Computer Hardware Projects (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a Soldering Station for Retro Computer Hardware Projects Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction Repairing retro computer will inevitably require soldering. There seem to be two very popular solutions which most people in the community go with. The first is the Weller line. Weller is a German
Read postImprove the Brightness of the Composite Video from a Commodore 64 by Adding a Resistor to a Revision A Circuit Board (15-30 mins)
Task: Improve the Brightness of the Composite Video from a Commodore 64 by Adding a Resistor to a Revision A Circuit Board Needed: Commodore 64 with Revision A circuit board, 220 Ohm resistor, soldering iron Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction The oldest Commodore 64s have a Revision A circuit board that
Read post