Acorn Electron Repair - Faulty eBay Retro British Micro
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- I repair multiple faults in an Acorn Electron Retro 8-bit British Micro bought untested spares or repair on eBay.
Features keyboard problems, temp Instability and much trial and error.
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Please remember I am an amateur attempting repairs. In these videos I try to fix junk I have bought on eBay. This is NOT a how-to video. The processes in the video may not be the best way, the correct way or even safe. Please do not copy anything shown in this video. If you do so it is entirely at your own risk.
THIS VIDEO IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT ONLY.
DO NOT CONSIDER ANY PART OF THIS VIDEO INSTRUCTION
Very enjoyable video RTR. Good work 👍
Thanks Vince REALLY appreciate the feedback. I was watching you playing a game gear with a blank screen last night... Classic! What a guy.
I have 2 Electrons, one of them had a couple keys stop working a few days after arriving. One solution I found it works great is to introduce a good amount of IPA to the inside of the key switch with a cotton tip, between the shaft and the enclosure of the key so that it soaks, and keep pressing repeatedly. It managed to clean the contacts and the key started working perfectly after that. After a while the IPA evaporates. The oxide or gunk that was on the contacts was displaced for good, it seems. Or until the next time... Saw this trick on another video about reparing one of these keyboards.
Getting the strain relief off is a lot easier if you dip it in boiling water. It then cuts off longitudinally clean.
Thanks Roger, great suggestion.
I used to repair these in early 80s. the older DIL RAM chips one would fail commonly. to find which one if stuck output spray the whole set with freezer spray and see which one thaws out first. or if one RAM open circuit output piggy back a fresh set over each chip, run a program then pull each one off one by one until the computer crashes. and the older ones had a snap-in ULA that you repair just by snap it out then back in again
Good information jagmarc. Thanks so much for your comment
“And so I ended up with two...” the story of my life LOL! Thank you for the great video!
I've done that with cars before now. Glad you enjoyed the vid and thanks so much for your comment.
@@RetroTechRepair Awesome! Let’s hope we don’t get to the wife stage... LOL!
LOL. There's been two of those as well... But not at the same time.
The stuff around the keyboard socket looked like a moths nesting ground.
Interesting... it could well have been I think the computer had been kept in a shed or attic. Thanks for your comment. Hope that you enjoyed the video
Came to look at the Astro Wars repair and watched quite a few videos now. I’m not even too sure why I enjoy them! I don’t plan to repair anything, but seeing items from my youth lovingly taken apart seems to float my boat! I like the way you explain things. Especially enjoyed the couple of Job Lot videos too. Thanks.
Hi @Clarence Worley, I think quite a few people feel the same way... "Why am I watching this?" Nostalgia is a funny thing. I started the channel a couple of years ago for much the same reason you describe. I was enjoying videos of people doing similar things and I thought it would be fun to justify owning things I could never have owned when they were new (often because they cost so much). I am so glad you are enjoying the videos an update to the 30Kg video should be coming soon! I hope you stick around. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it.
Oh and let me know if I can help with the astro wars.
Thanks @Belilgaril. It's an interesting game isn't it? It's tiring to play as it's so top heavy that it makes your hands hurt after a while. Glad you enjoyed the vid. Really appreciate the feedback.
Another great result! I really like the way you narrate these videos, pointing out the mistakes you made along the way in a humorous way. I watch all your videos regardless of the subject so I hope that gives you even more encouragement to keep up the great work! 😃 Oh, and Servisol Super 10 works great for all my repairs, just don't use it in volume pots or faders, they need fader lube or similar to keep them working nicely.
Hi Matthew, thanks so much for your kind words. I am really pleased you are enjoying the vids. I look back at some of my earlier stuff and cringe a bit sometimes, but its thanks to people like yourself who provide feedback and support that I keep on with this. I'd have given up ages ago on otherwise. So thanks! Thanks Also for the servisol tip, I just this minute used it and for the first time and it cleaned up a switch beautifully where a different brand has worked, but I'll be sure to get some proper its lube to add to the toolkit. Thanks again.
some clear heat shrink tubing over the strain relief would hold it together.
That's a good idea. Thanks for the tip!
You can save that piece, snip both ends off and drill right through the center with a small drill bit. Then just keep increasing drill bit size until you can push the cable through.
Thanks for the tip
Loved the acorn.. bbc b as well. I have a really bad amiga im atempting love a challenge .. I'm currently doing on CZcams.. love saving these old machines..
That's great Retro4U. I will check out your channel too. I have an amiga but haven't yet attempted to fix it, might get some tips from your vids. Good luck!
You can add a little water, distilled preferably, to the IPA to make it clean better depending on what is being cleaned, water is a better solvent for some things. Also evaporates a bit slower.
9:1 is a good ratio.
Great tip! Thanks.
Awesome video! kool to see those early basic computers! awesome to see them working!
Thanks @Tomorrowsphere, so glad you enjoyed it. Interesting old tech early gate arrays and an early DIMM. Thanks, as always, for your continued support and comments. Always happy to see you enjoyed it. Hope you are doing well.
a common fix is to pull the ULA, clean it and reseat it, the pins get oxidised the cover is the only thing that keeps the ULA in place, so after multiple heat cycles it looses the ability to stay stuck (sorry bad wording but I think you get it)
Yes totally get it! Thanks so much for your comments, really appreciated! 😊
Nice work with these repairs - I used to have an "Acron" Electron as a kid and this brings back some cool memories. Always wished I could have afforded the BBC Micro back then though!
I had an "Acron" too, but I think secretly wanted a A BBC or later a C64. I keep watching for a beeb to repair at the right price, but I have to factor in the risk of not being able to repair it and losing my shirt on it. I have loads tied up in future repairs at the moment, but one day I will do a beeb. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Makes a difference to me. Cheers
Great Video. I do love the Acron range of computers especially the Acron Archimedes.
Thanks for the kind words. I had an electron as a kid, but perhaps really wanted a BBC. An Archimedes would be great to own, but probably beyond me to repair.
I quite fancy an Acron "Aotm" too, although I have never even seen one "in the flesh"
@@RetroTechRepair Yeah me neither. Seen them on videos but never in real life. Forgot to say for £11 that was a bargain!!
@@Retr0Rewind I remember seeing one in a shop when I was about 18, but that's it never one I could interact with. Yes £11 shipped was a great price. I got lucky there. Thanks again for your comments.
Once again a fantastic video 5 stars,short & sweet keep it up.
Thanks I Patel. Pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for the encouragement and support, really appreciate it!
There's also a jumper mod one can do to get colour composite. It's trivial and works well.
The key mechanisms on the Elk aren't very good compared to the BBC, but WD40 electrical contact cleaner (yellow top, not red) can bring them back to life.
Hi Roger, I didn't know about the jumper mod.... that's very good to know. I wonder why they didn't activate it at the factory. I suppose back then the composite in on a TV still wasn't common. I have to admit I did try the WD40 electrical contact cleaner although I didn't show it in the video, that "L" key was just so stubborn. Good to know the Beeb is better though I do fancy having a go at one of those some day. Thanks for your help and feedback. Much appreciated.
28:40 (Sorry, couldn't resist. Love your videos!)
Thanks for your comments!
I used EML contact cleaner on my BBC micro keyboard after some years in storage. No need to desolder, Just a drip on the stem of any troublesome keys and a few operations later they where right as rain.
Thanks for the recommendation I had used a contact cleaner too but the stubborn "L" key wouldn't give in. Removing it was really for diagnosis, so I knew whether the key was the cause or something else. I will definitely try to find some EML though as the contact cleaner I tried didn't fix it. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks so much for your comments.
@@RetroTechRepair Agreed, it's not always so simple. Mine is my childhood model B so I know how it has been looked after. No Knowing what an eBay purchase might have experienced in it's lifetime. Both CPC Farnell & RS stock Electrolube EML.
Thanks for that, I will definitely get some I had been using WD40 contact cleaner, just got some servisol super 10 but haven't tried it yet.
@@RetroTechRepair Servisol is good too. I've not done any comparative tests, don't know if one has an edge over the others, they're probably quite similar in performance.
@@ches74 good to know. Thanks
This is a great video!
Thanks Rando's really appreciate it
I had some trouble with a key on my Elk too. The two pins on the key switches (desoldered) have screw groves and can be twisted out with a plier. The pins in my faulty switch had heavy black oxidation and worked after cleanup (no need to actually pry the key housing open). I think when you exercised yours you managed wear the oxidation off.
Some people have been running their Elks off DC power supplies (lower V than AC) as the internal PSU has 4 rectifier diodes, but there's some debate on the topic it seems.
Great info. Thanks so much for your comments.
Superb stuff! Thumbs up!
Thanks Beendon. Glad you enjoyed the vid and appreciate you leaving a comment. Cheers!
I managed to save a moulded on grommet on an Atari brick by pulling all the copper strands out and then pulling and peeling the insulation. Then pushed the cable pushed back through the grommet for a snug fit. If the same PVC/PU is used for the grommet and the insulation then chances are it will have bonded too well, we can but try.
Thanks Chris, good thinking. I'll try that next time too.
@@RetroTechRepair another idea could be using heat shrink tubing for the exposed part. In that way the presure of the tubing could help as well for strain relief. The only downside is the cosmetically may look not that good.
@@hernancoronel Also A good idea, one to try if I can't rescue a strain relief. Thanks!
100% tie a knot in that cable, Great video
Great! Do you know you are the first person to offer an opinion on that? Thanks for your feedback, glad you feel I made a good choice. Thank you very much for your comments.
@@RetroTechRepair No problem, check your email bye the way, I'm off to work now.
Great video and always nice to see success too! I found your channel from your Vectrex repair ages ago, I often wonder if you still have it? I've a large Vectrex collection, always loved the system and still play it regularly.
Thanks again Skyway, My best friend has the Vectrex, it was a "gift" on the basis that he must return it to me if he ever wants to get rid of it. He has a young family who hopefully will enjoy it too. I have to admit I am itching to do another, but need to to clear the decks of some other high ticket items I have awaiting repair. (High ticket being more than £11 LOL). Of the things I have owned it and the 65XE remain favourites. Thanks again for your support to the channel.
@@RetroTechRepair Ah that's great. Hey always broken units on ebay, be great if you could save them 😊
Very enjoyable stuff! Please show more closeups of the boards, 1080p only goes so far.
Thanks Mr cheese Bear, I appreciate the feedback I can definitely do that next time. I'm also thinking I might shoot some repairs in 4k see how they come out and how much video editing slows down
I kept asking myself "Why is he cleaning it with beer?"
I have often thought of "India Pale Ale" and many times there is a can of Punk, Scarborough Fair, or Beavertown Lupuloid off camera. My personal favourite is uinta hop nosh, which is a total legend amongst east cost IPAs but I haven't seen it on sale in the UK.
Hi, loving your videos. Have you ever came across zx spectrum console/keyboard? Or fixed one?
Hi Giedralas. Thanks for the feedback I am very pleased you are enjoying the videos. Yes I have, In fact I have a zx spectrum awaiting my repair, also a ZX81. If British computers are your thing I also have a CPC464, Oric 1, A Dragon 32 and a bit of a problem LOL. I expect to repair the spectrum before too long. Its 48k issue 2 rubber keyboard version. I'll move it up the list a bit since you are keen to see it, but it still might be a while. Thanks again for your question
...and maybe this one too! Ha ha ha. I really get that, having amassed 8 x Casio VL-1 in various states of repair. (Although I do plan a video combining various VL’s - something custom). Quality of the video and voice over is good RTR, very informative (hairs! - eeeeeeeeww!). Do you script beforehand, or just post edit? Chris
With dirty plastics (which don’t need retrobrighted), I just use a mild bleach solution to scrub the plastics. ;)
Oh I wanted a VL1 so much as a kid and when I finally got one the repair was a big job. I have a video on it you've probably spotted. Glad you enjoyed the vid. I do not script I tried it on one vid (LCD TV repair) but found it very time consuming. I do post edit only now and occasionally I do retakes when filming. Sound quality is a concern to me, I need to work on it and equipment. I haven't yet got it to a point I am happy with and keep having issues with mic placement, background noises. I have one vid yet to edit that had a dreadful 50hz hum (source now eliminated) but it's all over the raw footage. I'll get there eventually. Thanks so much for your comments.
That's a good idea. I tend to use window cleaner if I'm doing it at the bench or washing up liquid solution otherwise. I cut most of that out of the electron vid to get it down to 30 mins
A multi VL1 would be awesome!
Pity the poor Electron, a BBC with the most effective features taken out. Slow as molasses as a result, which killed it for the games market it was made for. Especially as they took the joystick socket out. Still wish I'd kept mine I was given as a hand-me-down though.
Thanks for your comments. Really appreciate it. Totally agree. I reckon a lot of the problem was the cost cutting resulting in the use of 4 64kbit RAM chips to get the 32k. Without that it could have been much faster. Thanks again for your comments. Hope you enjoyed the vid.
@@RetroTechRepair Thank you. Acorn fans will debate forever whether the Elk was worth it. But for my money, if it was Chris Curry's equivalent of Sinclair's QL or C5, I would say the Electron was way more a solution to problems they were looking for.
@@MrDustpile you're probably right there!
I’m a bit late with this comment- but I chose the Electron over the BBC because the bus was available at the back. I plugged a DIL socket onto it and wired it up to a veroboard and… party time! It was a nerd’s paradise. I was able to couple it up to all sorts of external electronics to control relays and motors. It was not a good games machine, but actually easier to expand than the BBC for the techie types with a soldering iron.
I have one in the loft - somewhere!
Maybe it's time to unearth it hand a nostalgia day! I enjoyed playing McDonald's and chuckle egg and of course Elite which had the best version of the day bar the BBC in my opinion.
Thanks so much much for your comment.
@@RetroTechRepair Elite - spent many many hours playing that! And Citadel!
I have an Electron that freaks out the display after about 10 mins. Maybe I’ll try cleaning the ula socket. Hopefully it’s an early model.
I'm not an expert so don't take my advice lol... If you decided to do it let us know how it goes. Thanks for your comment... Good luck!
I bleached my space bar...over did it a smidge and it ended up looking like a banana.
Oh dear... thanks for sharing though. Hopefully it will avoid someone making the same mistake.
i would have got one, but it wasn't backward compatible to the BBC and would not run beeb games, acorn shot themselves in the foot
Yes. I did have one and it was so close to compatible in many ways just not close enough. The biggest problem was the memory access i think. A real shame
all you did was unsolder and resolder the L key and it works now? WITCHCRAFT!