I'm a husband, a father and a computer/ console collector. Oh, and I love working with my hands.
I hate living in a disposable world so I'm trying to merge my passion for collecting (weird habbit as my wife says) with my desire to fix rather than replace and this channel is the result.
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CTRL + C breaks out of a program :)
Wonderful, congratulations on the successful restoration...
Very nice, i had designed anpcb for the adapter and had them made by pcbway but dunno where i put them iirc i used 4066 chips in mine, Bob looks good though 😀
Aah, put in a 'safe place'... Yep have stored many things that way and still got a few to find :D Bob is fun to play - such a simple concept but love the way it gets faster and faster for the difficulty. Trick is trying to grab the fireflies when they are close to exploding to maximise the points. Shame I keep missing them and dying!
Thanks for all the help prodding and poking Bob to see if he was up to being released ;) And it pushed you to build a joystick adapter for your Dragon (which is a must if you really want to explore all the games that system had to offer, and it's got so many great ones). You know that the Dragon was designed to use analogue joysticks? These can really make a difference in a game if it's written to use one. The thing is that 90% of the software written for the system was made with a digital (Atari type joystick) in mind. Which means that many are not as much fun to play with analogue. So that device you built is a must have. Oh, and if ever you're looking for a quick and easy-ish Dragon hardware project, it's possible to convert a cheap PC analogue joystick to work on the Dragon, then you could play every game ever released for it. Both the Coco and Dragon 32 are fantastic systems (just the rom code different between them. Oh, and the keyboard matrix too). Pity that most of the time they get overlooked. Coco forever (and Dragon too) 🤣
Thanks for letting me try Bob and the Alien Fireflies! Older 8bit games, while they dont have the graphics or sound of the more modern games, made for a better experience in my mind. It's just such a simple concept yep takes a lot more skill than people would imagine to play and score high on. Will look into the PC analogue conversion or see if I can pick up a genuine set for my collection and try some more games out on proper controllers too!
Awaiting delivery of a shortboard C64C so looking forward to recapping and testing. I bought an old wedge supply and replaced the 5V board with a newer one from a github design. I take it the shortboard design didn't ahve regulators that needed changing?
I had one given to me by my uncle who lived in the UK. I had an Atari 800XL, so I thought it was nice of him. It was busted from day one. The keys would stop working randomly after a little while. I had my dad look at it, being an Elec. Engineer, but he he no clue... Sad, but other than the bad keyboard, I liked it over all. I had no games or anything for the Oric. I had a game with like 100 BASIC games or something like that. Could never type them in, as the keyboard would slowly stop working. Any rough ideas what it could've been? I no longer have it, but would love to own one again for pure nostalgia!
I never owned 9ne until recently so it's still all new to me as well. I'm currently,on holiday and dont have access to the schematics, however if it slowly stopped working, there is possibly an IC that was failing. If left off for a bit and it started working again before slowly failing once more, that'd confirm it. I do all,of this for nostalgia to be honest. I saw these in the shops and I'm enjoying getting them and trying them now 😀
@@RetroKrazy It does start working again once turned off, and it cools down. I believe there is an FPGA core for MiSTer for the Oric, but I will attempt to pick up one. Likely be from the UK. No idea how to hook up a tape drive to it. Don't think it ever shipped with a proper OEM one. Could be wrong. Keep up the good work, love the Nostalgia!
I really enjoyed this
Thanks and glad you liked it!
Nice .. I've repaired lots of specys .. but never had the pleasure of zx80 ... You could solder the heat sink and bracket and remove the screw ...
I think, if I was to do anything, it'd be replace the heatsink with a replacement to keep it original. Happy enough with the filing down of the screw as it no longer touches the top case at the moment though. Lets see what the future brings!
I had a ZX80 and ZX81 then the Spectrum at the time, the Spectrum was binned after a short in the PSU that today is a 5 minute fix, but I don't remember what happened to the ZX80 and ZX81. Today I'm a collector of these and other computers of the era, but to get a ZX80 today is way too expensive.
I was lucky that I kept all mine, well most of them. Wish I'd kept my A1200 and the A1010 drives pluus a fewmore, though just grateful I kept the ones I did. Had the seller of the ZX80 not been an absolute gem of a woman and was happy these were going to someone who would restore them, the I doubt if I'd own one either tbh. Glad you enjoyed the video though :)
I enjoyed that a lot. The Zx80 is a machine that I had never seen or heard of until I saw one in "Micro men" in 2009. I've never ever been in the presence of one and I doubt that I ever will be, given how rare they are. Well done on this acquisition and how great is it that it worked just like that? I look forward to part 2 and moreover seeing if you can save stuff to cassette with that mic port, or was the mod a valid one? Good luck and enjoy your holiday ;)
Thanks! Yes, the price of what is in reality a very basic set of chips has become ridiculously expensive. Even a replacement original TV aerial is £20! Though as a collector, I'm just glad I got one! :) I suspect the mod was possibly to increase the audio output volume when saving, though not sure. Will be fun finding out!
The ZX80 looked so cool in the ads. Teenage me saved hard so I could almost afford one, my mum even decorated my birthday cake to look like a ZX80. When I eventually saw it for real I couldn't believe that it had the build quality of a disposible yoghurt pot, and that somewhat put me off. It was still nearly my first computer... Still wish I had one. Btw, your video would be *much* better without the background music.
Thanks for the memorys David! My first was the ZX81 so missed out on the ZX80. I have to agree, the plastics are aweful and why not actually have vents at the top??? Apologies about the background music, it's supposed to be 'ambient' unless I'm using it to fill in for the soldering/disassembly montages so it's obviously too loud if you're noticing it :( Unfortunately KZread won't let us just relace it and I'd have to delete everything and start again :(
I nearly have a stroke every time I have to work those push pins on my ZX80s. I do like to keep the ZX80s as close to original as possible but I'd think a modern voltage regulator might be OK considering heat issues but if you're not likely to use it, I'd probably remove the extra heat sink. But hey, it's yours, do what thou wilt. ;)
I seriously thought I was going to destroy the plastics taking those out - NOT for the faint hearted! I did think about removing the extra heatsink, but for me, I'd need to put an undamaged one in its place. I don't have one so it'll remain for the moment! If I do get another ZX80 in better condition, then I'll leave that stock and re-visit this one though as have used a Traco Power in my old ZX81 - runs cool and fine :)
Lovely restore sir. I had a secondhand ZX81 and loved it.
Thanks Snorkers! The ZX81 was my first too and it's true what they say. You never forget your first... ;)
The ORICS are a quirky little thing, aren't they?
Very much so! Especially if you consider that the later Atmos was just the same computer in a fancier case! Still to spend more time with this and I'm sure itll grow on me even more:)
Today people often refer to this as the first affordable computer. As you point out, it was still quite expensive for the time, just darn cheap for a computer. When I first saw the kit advertised, I knew I had to own one. Unfortunately, I would have to wait for the ZX81 as all the Z80 kits were sold out. Overheating, lousy keyboards and ram packs that wobbled causing reboots did not matter, it was a computer !!! and I owned it. Still, I wish I had gotten that Z80. I still have my eye out and one day my wallet and an Ebay listing will align. Thank you for sharing and evoking the nostalgia.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment! I missed the ZX80 boatd and started with a ZX81 and it too suffered from exactly the same flaws. But would I have swapped it for another game or toy? Not on yourlife. To me, it was perfect as it was. Well, maybe not the Rampack wobble...
Is a original Wii motion plus close to the construction of this Chinese version ?
Hey, thanks for the comment! I've never had a Chinese clone so I'd be lying if I said they were or not, sorry :(
Hi. Excellent video, enjoyed it very much! I am also collecting old 8-bit computers and I have a BBC B micro. One of the key switches is broken. Would you sell me one of your switches from your first BBC B computer?
Hi Dennis, Drop me an email and I'll dig one out. I leave on holiday in 2 days though should have access to my email :) Glad you enjoyed the video too! I love the machines and have a very soft spot for them :)
nice obscure computer .. Ive never seen one of them .. Altho the controllers look like the Philips G7000 controllers ..
I've a few of them now and have to say they seem very capable for the time and quite expandable too. And yes, I think they may well be! Hadn't thought of that till now so may have to dig one out and check. Well spotted!
Good job, the MO5s not a bad little system. You'll have to get yourself an sddrive to unlock it's full potential. It has a killer version of Wizball too.
Oh, will look out for Wizball as it does seem a more than capable system! Shame it never hit the UK as could have been a great contender against machines of the time over here.
Just caught this - I have signed up to be notified when retroleum gets more in stock.
Yes, it's a great little card, especially with the SD reader AND Kempston Interface built in!
Very nice, cbm made some really iconic and stylish drives......
Very true, though I do remember them being pricey too!
That back cover sure is tricky, but by your video, it's good now.
Yes, it certainly can be though I'm glad the video helped you :)
Great job =D Always nice to see a drive brought back to life =D
Thanks Gadget - Always loved the A1010 but that'll be nostalgia more than anything. Cumana drives were just as good and a thrd the size :D Oddly, I have a video to edit on an Amitek AND a Cumana!
Hi mate, when you say in the sun did you mean retro bright or just with the plastic itself?
Thanks for asking! I literally mean in the sun, no chemicals, heat, anything! It's amazing what results it can get though it will vary from plastic to plastic. This came out nicely compared to when I started and the best results I've had were with the PC Engine I restored - it was light night and day. Hope this helps!
i typed in a few Dragon 32 programs using notepad and then copy and pasted them into XRoar (the dragon 32 emulator)??!!! and some of them work others dont please help some1 if u can thanks....................
Apologies, I only use real hardware and not emulators. I'd probably recommend a good forum for that type of request tbh. I found a few user groups on Google: www.google.com/search?q=dragon+32+user+group and even a direct 'How to' for XRoar: www.myabandonware.com/howto/dragon-32-64
💥 Promo`SM
Thanks, I think... ;)
One great Atari mouse is the giant trackball (Atari Trak-Ball Controller CX-22) that used a real pool/billiards ball. The switches were trash, but the overall construction was very good, *AND* it works with the Atari ST. If you can find one of those, I highly recommend buying it. Lovely video and great job restoring/caretaking this older equipment. Cheers!
Thanks! I actually remember the CX-22 from the shops back then as it was a weird looking thing :D haven't come across one yet but will keep my eyes open for one! I was really pleased with how the mouse turned out as it cleaned up really well. Good for many years yet I hope ;)
A copy of the Gameboy designed for the little ones.
Yes indeed! I can only imaging the swipe switch was designed to make it feel more 'interactive'?
What a high quality item 😂
Ah yes, from the high resolution of the display to the quality of the plastics. Nothing screens 'High Quality' like a blob chip... :-D
I’d imagine the battery contacts could be partially restored by electroplating them with nickel? using the same vinegar used to clean them 🙂
Yes indeed, though I'm not sure if I'd need to remove all the chrome for it to stick properly?
@@RetroKrazy I’d imagine the rusted parts won’t have any chrome left? so if they were nickel plated it might improve things, it’s only the contact point that counts
Brilliant video! All the previous ones went straight for slowly removing the label then the screw and then trying to get the clips to let go that holds the halves together. A lot of time. I did not even know about releasing the trap door. I was more into the NES and the Commodores. Anyways have 12 systems I am testing of the 2600 I want to sell and many of the cartridges did not work. I only needed one to work to test all the systems and was playing it but want to try other games just to see how they are anyways. Again, THANKS!.
You are more than welcome and I'm glad the video helped you out :) Getting a comment like this makes my day, thank you :)
Thank you. Used this video to clean my dirty dongles 😊
Not a problem! It's amazing how much dirty, grime and other things can build up in areas you wouldn't believe!
You can press both CNT+C to exit the basic program properly: CNT+C=BREAK (CTRL-C) (The white INI PROG button is just the reset button). I also think that the keyboard can be retr0bright'ed. (Though you may lack UVs from the sun in Scotland ;) )
Thanks! I'll give that a go shortly as I think this system is seriously under-rated and I have a whole bunch of tapes to test out :) I am currently trying to sunbright the keys, though as you say, Scotland lacks a good supply of UV rays :D
I'm quite surprised they never tried to sell the MO5 over here. It's quite a capable machine, and Thomson were quite close to Thorn in the UK - I think that, in 1984 quite a few customers would have been attracted to the Ferguson name on a computer, they had a good general reputation and very good retail network. Opportunity missed, although 1984 might just have been a bit late in the day.
I have a few of the generic MO5s and they all have the 'dead flesh' type keyboard common on the ZX Spectrum, so this was quite a surprise when the keyboard turned out to have real keys! As you say, 1984 may have been late, though they brought out a few more peripherals for it. I have yet to test the 64K memory expansion for example! As you say though, possibly an oportunity missed as it indeed could've sold well here.
Where did you buy the X2 caps from in the video? I'm doing a cap replacement myself and can't seem to find suitable replacements? Thanks!
I usually get my stuff from www.ebay.co.uk/str/tekkikidcomponents - Martyn is great and quality parts too!
What possible circumstance can you imagine that would require you to revert the machine to RF output? I know the purists would say that's always the way to go, but come on, it's not the last ZX81 in the world and the case is already butchered.
Yep, I get you. I did the composite mod on this as it was burchered up however at least one machine I own of a type will be kept 'original' as tbh, that's how I remember them. I also usually prefer to try and not perform a 'permanent' modification so I can resort back if need be. I find the general 'fuzziness' of RF means that games look 'correct' on a CRT. Modern panel do their best, but sometimes it's just for the nostalgia.
❤ Thank you! Nicely done. I didn‘t know this machine!
Thanks :) It's an odd one and the stock MO5 has 'dead flesh' keys like the ZX Spectrum, so this was a little different!
hello does any 1 know about this ? its High Noon from Dragon User April 1987 ? magazine ? i cant make out what it says in the magazine ? if any1 knows please let me know via youtube messages? thanks.................. its a game listing in basic machine language BUT its not very clear in some lines of the code.......... thanks...........
Nope. Try a Google search and target a more specific user base: facebook.com/groups/dragon32/?locale=en_GB
Ha ha, "Casual Retro Gramer" 😂
I may have had a slight issue trying to say Glens channel name, yes... :D
Hi, the Glen youtube channel link seems to be invalid ...
Sorry about that! All sorted now :-)
There a great little unit .. One warning on the MB bottom left chip has a battery inside it .. If its goes flat you lose the save games and the system wont boot ... Keep up the the great work mate :)
Cheers! I'll do a follow-up video covering that and a joystick adapter I also just found out about! Watch this space :-)
:-) ❤
Hey :-)
If you are going to do all that then fit some heatsinks. Thanks for the video.
Yep, something I don't normally do and not sure why? Especially on machines that are known for failure of certain chips!
What's the advantage of using this soldering iron? And do you have any links for it? Much appreciated!
I use an Aoyue station and love it. It has a built-in fume extractor that really works well, ulta fast heat-up time (seconds) and interchangeable tips. Hot air is also built in, you can add in an SMD iron though the desolder pump wasn't that great I found. You can fine it here on the Aoyue website, though I'd hunt about for the best price based on where you live: www.aoyue3d.com/en/pro/default.asp?id=372
Isn't that "Sally" originally on the board just a vanilla 6502?
I did some digging at the time and found a number of images showing that CPU being used in the 7800. Ironically, when I was chatting to RetroHQ, he also had that exact same CPU fail on him on a system. Could be they are just bad CPUs? Certainly the CPU looked original underneath. No obvious signs of reworking - well not like the obviously badly fitted resistors ;-)
@@RetroKrazy Possible, I've used those UMC 6502s to repair other 8-bits in the past and they seem solid enough but who knows. My question was more that the model number doesn't appear to suggest it's anything special - we're they just putting in vanilla 6502s from the factory? Which reminds me, I just got a few 6502s from China - need to check them out...
What is it about the Escape keys on these keyboards?! I bought one and it also had a missing escape key. Fortunately I had an old A500 Mitsumi keyboard lying around so took one off that 😊
That was lucky you had a spare! I'm just thankful there was a compatible available and it wasn't one of the custom Amiga keys :)
You should disable BASIC before loading games (OPTION + START). Azimuth of heads is usually an issue with these cassette players.
Thanks for letting me know! Having never owned an 800 before this, I wasn't aware of the combo to disable basic when I made the video. However, I'll be trying that very soon as it was too regular a failure i.e. seemed to fail at the same point each time!
@@RetroKrazy You should also check the tape....you might be able to see a pinch on the actual tape. That was a common issue with many tapegames.
@@nickolasgaspar9660 The tapes do seem fine so setting everything back up to test the START + OPTION liading!
Is there a full post of that intro theme? So dope!
Yeah, of course! You can find it here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/imSNuJJxYNTcgLA.html&ab_channel=ZXPentagon128k Gasman is a highly talented chiptune artist and I think what he does is amazing :)
@@RetroKrazyThank you for making my weekend!
you are more than welcome @@bombfog1 !
The potential of the Dragon, was beyone all other computers of the time, but the hardware was RUBBISH. The graphics could have done a LOT more if even just 8K had been set aside, and a little more creativity applied to the design.
I have to admit, the effort put into the physical design (shape, keyboard, internal board layout etc) was amazing and well thought out. It did appear that the system itself was an afterthough. It's a shame as I agree, a little more thought into it could've made it so much more!
Most Atari tapes need " Start & Option " Keys pressed on boot to load tape .
Thanks for letting me know! A few people have suggested this so I'll be doing a follow-up video at some point and will try this. The loading stops pretty much at the same point it feels so could be that simple!