(This was originally a Twitter thread from June 14, 2020.)
June 14, 2020
Say “Hello, World” to my new Zenith ZL-1 MinisPort laptop from 1989 with an 8088 running 8Mhz, 1MB RAM, and a backlit LCD display. Weighs just under 6 pounds.
Modding a Timex Sinclair 2068 to a Switchable ZX Spectrum ROM
(This was originally a Twitter thread from December 2, 2014)
Did you know the American Timex Sinclair 2068 is largely a clone of the popular ZX Spectrum from England? Well, the hardware is but the ROM is different enough to keep ZX Spectrum titles from working. Which is a bummer because there are hundreds of titles for the ZX Spectrum and only a handful for the Timex Sinclair 2068.
However, it is possible to replace the ROM in a TS2068 so it’s more compatible with ZX titles, making a “ZX2068.” And you can make it switchable so you can go back to the stock ROM. And no drilling holes for a switch! Sound interesting? Read on!
Commodore SX-64 Repair and Refurbishment
(This was originally posted to Twitter on February 3, 2015.)
February 3, 2015
Today, I’m going to tackle this new-to-me Commodore SX-64 computer. I bought it cheaply from a seller that said it wasn’t working. It has a few faults that we’ll take a look, including the keyboard which has a few unresponsive keys.
Atari 1040 STf upgrade and repair
(Originally a Twitter thread started June 12, 2022)
June 12, 2022
Today I’m revisiting my #Atari 1040 STf that I got last year from @benjedwards. I’d like to fix the floppy drive (doesn’t seem to read or format disks), upgrade TOS, and fix the two broken keys on the keyboard.
Installing an Ethernet card and video card and other upgrades for a Mac SE/30.
(The following was a Twitter thread on March 10, 2021 for #MARCHintosh.)
But there’s only one slot, you say? It’s all a matter of using a clever part to adapt a pass-through.
Another Visit to The Computer Museum at System Source in Baltimore MD.
On July 10, 2021, I visited the Computer Museum at System Source in Baltimore MD as part of the Vintage Computer Federation (VCF) Repair Workshop. I also visited the museum in 2020.
Warning: Image heavy page ahead!
A Visit to The Computer Museum at System Source, Baltimore, MD
On Feb 15, 2020, I visited the Computer Museum at System Source in Baltimore, MD as part of a VCF Federation Repair Workshop weekend. The museum there is mind blowing. Want to see some pictures?
Warning: Image heavy page ahead!
Commodore PET 2001 Repair
(This was originally a Twitter thread from November 6, 2017.)
November 6, 2017
A huge box has just arrived! And inside are lots and lots of packing peanuts. Wait, wait, there’s something else in here. It looks like it’s from the future.
Say 10 PRINT”HELLO WORLD” to the Commodore PET 2001 from 1977, one of the “trinity” personal computers. Big thanks to @FozzTexx!
Radio Shack TRS-80 PC-2 Pocket Computer and Plotter Refurbishment
(This was originally a Twitter thread from November 15, 2019.)
November 15, 2019
Say 10 PRINT “Hello, World!” to my new Radio Shack TRS-80 PC-2 pocket computer with printer cassette docking interface. Has BASIC and “2640-character program and data memory”— so a little over 2.5K of RAM. Many thanks to @FloppyDays, it’s all in tip-top shape!
Typewriter Plotters
Did you know there were typewriters that used ball point pens to draw not just text but also graphics? I’ve collected several of these over the years. Read on to discover a world that you didn’t know existed.
