Looking for an electronics engineer to fix up an old computer

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Mark

1493 posts

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# 184004 6-Nov-2015 09:11

Hiya,

Does anyone know a company or individual in the Auckland/Northland area who can redo the capacitors on an old computer ? Some of my computers are heading for 40 years old and I want them recapped to give them a bit longer in this world.

Thanks!

SepticSceptic

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# 1431103 19-Nov-2015 13:34

Are the caps looking flaky ? Expanded ? Leaking ?

Electros do go bad, sometimes, but generally if they are stressed - running near rated voltage, or they are in a hot environment.

What sort of computer are you referring to ? Altair 8800?

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Mark

1493 posts

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# 1431118 19-Nov-2015 13:56

Some old Commodore gear mostly ... all happily working away with no leaking going on, but I thought I'd look at getting them recapped to give a few more years play time :-)

richms

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# 1431158 19-Nov-2015 14:12

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IME things that are really old seem to be ok, its the cheap nasty caps that give out and need replacing.

Richard rich.ms

SepticSceptic

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# 1431292 19-Nov-2015 17:59

On random C64 thread, there is mention to replace the caps if the sound is weak, or lacking omphh.

http://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16850

Found a few schematics - looks like all on-board regulation. 9v AC supplied by plug pack.

Honestly, unless they are swelling, or misshapen, or something is obviously goners, I'd leave it alone. Yanking out the PCB, or doing other soldering work can lead to other bustages.

My thoughts are no longer my own and is probably representative of our media-controlled government

richms

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# 1431295 19-Nov-2015 18:09

I will have a look at mine when I change it into the replacement case I got off kickstarter, but last I used it, was working fine. Im more worried about the ugly heavy powerbrick. It outputs AC which is used for something so replacing it with a nice modern switcher isnt going to be easy.

Richard rich.ms

Mark

1493 posts

Uber Geek

# 1431310 19-Nov-2015 18:45

Thats why you need a shiny new C64 Reloaded motherboard to go in the shiny new case :-) It'll let you use modern power supplies.

The AC is used by the SID, the VIC and to power the tape deck.

Sideface

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# 1431346 19-Nov-2015 19:06

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Mark: ... Some of my computers are heading for 40 years old and I want them recapped to give them a bit longer in this world. ....

Somebody has to ask ..

Why would anyone want to run a 40-year old computer (except in a museum)?

Are you a vintage IT enthusiast? (serious question)

Sideface

Mark

1493 posts

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# 1431350 19-Nov-2015 19:15

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Why not run one? The games are still fun and i have almost every app and game ever made on a single SD card :-)

Plus i like seeing the new hardware and software being developed today for them ... ive started a fork of a multithreading OS for the c64 so i can learn 6502 assembler and get it doing more intwresting stuff with the new c64 hardware out (not that useful in todays world, but interesting and its an instruction set and memory map i can probably memorise) .. but mainly its just nostalgia :-)

gzt

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# 1431351 19-Nov-2015 19:15

Someone has to demonstrate peek and poke (yes they were actual commands) alongside the steam engines at motat : }.

Rikkitic

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# 1431354 19-Nov-2015 19:24

I used to peek and poke. A bit like push and pop.

I don't think there is ever a bad time to talk about how absurd war is, how old men make decisions and young people die. - George Clooney