Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Repair.

Defect:

• Cartridges port doesn’t work.

Fix:

• Cleaning the cartridge connector (computer side) with one pin oxided.

Gallery of the repair:

Texas Instruments Modulator PHA2036 Repair.

Defect:

• After a few seconds of use the image becomes dark until it disappears completely.

Repair:

• The problem was inside the RF modulator. After removed the problem is gone. If you made the composite mod i always recommend to removing the Modulator.

Roland MT-80s Repair.

Defect:

• Working good but without sound.

Repair:

• Fixing the two solder pads broken of the bridge rectifier for the 13v.

Gallery of the repair:

Download: Roland MT-80s Service Manual (1043)

Video Test:

Commodore VIC-20 (ASSY 250403) Repair

Defect:

• Black Screen.

Replaced parts:

• Replaced CPU 6502 (UE10)

2 x Commodore Amiga 1200 Recap.

Gallery:

This computer did not present the defect described, but knowing well the power supply stage of the osborne, very similar if not the same as the computer series Kaypro, i have preferred to replace the two capacitors that usually present problems.

The real problem came out as soon when i have connected the keyboard, the screen started to flash and the keyboard did not work.

Several pins of the keyboard connector are in short-circuit, i have disassembled the keyboard, unplugged the flat connector and checked the continuity of all pins and everything was perfect.

The problem is the membrane broken in more parts and probably they are some residues inside the keyboard, shaking the keyboard it sounds almost like a maracas.

The membrane of this keyboard can not be replaced because the switches that press the membrane are “hot welded” by melt the plastic, however the membrane is not available as a spare part.

I have tried with the keyboard of my Osborne One (version 1 and 2) and everything works perfectly.

Gallery of the repair:

The High Voltage SID Collection (HVSC) is a freeware hobby project which organises Commodore 64 music (also known as SID music) into an archive for both musicians and fans alike.

The work on the collection is done completely in the Team and contributors’ spare time and is proudly one of the largest and most accurate computer music collections known.

This update features (all approximates):

• 700 new SIDs
• 222 fixed/better rips
• 2 repeats/bad rips eliminated
• 327 SID credit fixes
• 20 SID model/clock infos
• 3 tunes from /DEMOS/UNKNOWN/ identified
• 1 tunes from /GAMES/ identified
• 24 tunes moved out of /DEMOS/ to their composers’ directories
• 0 tunes moved out of /GAMES/ to their composers’ directories

Download:

• HVSC Update #68 (1102)
• Complete HVSC #68 (1247)

source: www.hvsc.c64.org

NEW TAG: C64 BIG GAME PACK

Some new games or tools (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups.

Titles:

• Squid Jump Preview V2
• IndeflataBall +5
• Squid Jump Preview
• International Karate Ultimate Preview [easyflash]
• International Karate Ultimate Preview
• Modulot II +1D
• Modulot II +
• Modulot II
• CRX Race [unprotected original]
• Quarx V2 +2HFD
• Vaultman 2 1.1 +4D
• Dracula’s Castle
• Dracula’s Castle +4
• Mental Moons +3
• International Karate Ultimate [easyflash]
• 8192 Preview
• Tower Snake Preview +2
• Tower Snake Preview
• Tower Snake Demo
• Spyders 2 Preview
• Tink’s Adventure +D
• Genius 2 +7D
• Genius Enhanced +7D
• International Karate Ultimate V1.1
• Tuk Goes to Town +D
• Spyders 2 Preview
• International Karate Ultimate
• Tink’s Subtraction Fair +
• Tink’s Subtraction Fair +
• Tonk in the Land of Buddy-Bots
• Star Wars (Version 1981) +
• Star Wars (Versions 1977 and 1981)
• Slime Deluxe (World of Commodore Version)
• Jumpy64 Preview
• Gone In 64 Seconds Preview
• Hangman V2 Basic for Kids
• Integer Tic Tac Toe
• Spellcast Preview V2 +3

Download: All Games in One Archive (4913)

source: csdb.dk

Jean-François DEL NERO (who’s behind the HxC SD Floppy Emulator) recently has released a version of the HxC emulator firmware that is compatible with the STM32 chip used in the Gotek floppy emulators.

This means that the great functionality of the HxC SD emulator is now available on cheaper and more widely available hardware.

The bootloader to convert the Gotek floppy drive in HxC compatible must be purchased on the website HXC 2001 by sending an email to Jean-François DEL NERO. The price of the bootloader is one-off 10 Euro per Gotek that you want to update. Future updates of the software are free and can be made from a USB stick

The HXC Usb (Gotek) firmware supports: + many more….

Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.1.0a:

More direct raw formats support :

• Akai formats (*.IMG)
• Casio FZ1 (*.FZ1)
• Emax machines formats (*.IMG)
• Ensoniq EPS & Mirage series formats (*.IMG)
• General Music formats (*.IMG)
• Korg formats (*.IMG)
• X68000 (*.HDM,*.XDF)
  • Internal optimizations.

This is only a little part of the changelog. The original one is very long and you can read it here.

Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.1.1.0a (774)

source: hxc2001.com

..and after 5 months finally the DreamPSU is here!

DreamPSU – Making your Dreamcast™ cool again.

The DreamPSU is a simple and fast to install replacement power supply for the SEGA Dreamcast that not only reduces heat, but also frees up some much needed internal space for any other mods you may have or want to install.

Last year I noticed my Dreamcast™ getting unusually hot around the power supply, Not long after, I got myself a GDEMU (not required for the DreamPSU, but awesome anyway), and the heat further increased, after doing some research I realized the culprit was the 12v line on the power supply, when it isn’t used it actually reaches 14v and produces a lot of heat, not wanting to modify the existing power supply for when I wanted to use my GDRom disc drive, I thought, OK, I’ll make myself a new power supply.

I recently spoke to a friend of mine and he explained how the Dreamcast™ power supplies will eventually die and people will have to cannibalize other consoles for parts. So I told him about my power supply and he convinced me there might be a market for it and that I should see if people would be interested, So I posted on the Dreamcast-Talk forums and Facebook and indeed it seems like people are.

Features:

• Small Size, only 48mm x 43mm (1.89in x 1.70in).
• Drop in, easy to use replacement for original power supply (no modifications necessary).
• Utilizes your original Dreamcast™ power button.
• Runs from an external 12v 2.5amp power supply (not included).
• Less heat inside your Dreamcast™ means that will potentially last longer.
• More space inside your Dreamcast™ for other mods.
• Spare 12v and 5v power header available for mods.

Gallery:

source: dreampsu.com

Sega Game Gear Recap

Defect:

• Dead but the Power LED is turned ON.

Repair:

• Replaced all capacitors (Main / DC-DC / Audio)

Gallery of the repair:

Commodore PET 2001 Japanese Instruction Manual.

I must thank my  friend Andry for this great gift.

Gallery:

Very nice adapter designed by Rolo that allows you to use the Rolo Multi-Cartridge also on the Acetronic MPU-1000 or any 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System compatible consoles.

Gallery:

source: atariage.com

Jean-François DEL NERO (who’s behind the HxC SD Floppy Emulator) recently has released a version of the HxC emulator firmware that is compatible with the STM32 chip used in the Gotek floppy emulators.

This means that the great functionality of the HxC SD emulator is now available on cheaper and more widely available hardware.

The bootloader to convert the Gotek floppy drive in HxC compatible must be purchased on the website HXC 2001 by sending an email to Jean-François DEL NERO. The price of the bootloader is one-off 10 Euro per Gotek that you want to update. Future updates of the software are free and can be made from a USB stick

The HXC Usb (Gotek) firmware supports: + many more….

Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.0.4a:

Major update!

• New direct file formats support (Read & Write !) :
  • Acorn machines : *.ADL,*.ADM,*.SSD,*.DSD and *.ADF file support
  • Camputer Lynx : *.LDF
  • Commodore C64 : *.D81
  • Thomson machines : *.FD
  • Sam Coupé : *.SAD, *.MGT
  • MSX Machines : *.IMG, *.DSK
  • Spectrum : *.TRD, *.SDD
• New menu entry : Target system family selection.
  • This reduce a lot the risk of erroneous raw file identification.
• Lots of RAW file support improvements :
  • All sector sizes supported, advanced track skew and interleaving support.
  • FM & MFM support.
• Amstrad CPC DSK support : Fix for the One Disk/double sided Batman demo.
• Fix attempt of the “diymore.cc” OLED screens : OLED init screen delay  menu option added.
  • (Note : Please avoid these “diymore.cc” screens until i got an idea what is the root cause of the issue.)
  • Internal improvement : Track cache layer improved, RAW files support/identification improved.

Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.0.33.12a:

• Extra LCD size option added :
  • 2×40 characters (for 2×40 I2C-HD44780 screens)
• Clear internal settings function : Press “up” button at power up to Clear the settings with the default values.
• SP1200 write support fix.

This is only a little part of the changelog. The original one is very long and you can read it here.

Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.1.0.4a (1119)

source: hxc2001.com