rickneff68 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 (edited) I just finished a couple of projects with my QI TI-99/A tonight: 1) Added a blue LED to the console. (https://atariage.com/forums/topic/228592-beige-console-power-led-mod/) A 3/16" drill bit works well and is about the right size for most standard LEDs. (As I'm in the U.S. I used imperial measurements, not metric.) You need to clip about 1/4" off the LED for it to bend and seat properly in the case socket. I found it useful to use a Sharpie to mark the leads on the LED to identify which went where. Otherwise, it's a very basic process. 2) Added a Reset Switch (http://shift838.wixsite.com/shift838/projects) The tutorial mentioned C606, but since the QI motherboard layout is completely different, there is no capacitor labeled C606. Instead, I used the one labeled C22. Again, like the above, it's a very basic process once you find the right capacitor. I'm in the process of making a cable for headphones with volume adjustment since I installed the F18 board in the system. (https://atariage.com/forums/topic/265627-f18a-video-board-and-qi-motherboardssystems/) I got it started, but I didn't finish it. My problem is that I would like to use a wheel potentiometer. (Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/3-Pin-Single-Linear-Potentiometer-Selling/dp/B01MEFKK3D/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1495348849&sr=8-25&keywords=wheel+potentiometer) However, I'm not sure of the best way to mount or protect it. Most of the time when I've seen these in pre-made cables, there is a protective housing. I don't have anything like this and haven't found one online. Anyone know where to find a housing for a wheel potentiometer? Edited May 21, 2017 by rickneff68 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickneff68 Posted September 3, 2017 Author Share Posted September 3, 2017 (edited) Well, this is disappointing...I was doing some work on this system (removing the video/audio port since I have the F18 board) and after trying to power it on, smoke came out of the F18 board. Sigh. I'm not sure what specifically happened as I was pretty careful, maybe some loose solder or something got on the board somewhere. But, the system won't power up anymore. The lesson here, I guess, is to be careful and check/double check before powering on the system. Don't feel too bad -- I have 3 more systems. Edited September 3, 2017 by rickneff68 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 That still majorly sucks. . . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeBo Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Well, this is disappointing...I was doing some work on this system (removing the video/audio port since I have the F18 board) and after trying to power it on, smoke came out of the F18 board. Sigh. I'm not sure what specifically happened as I was pretty careful, maybe some loose solder or something got on the board somewhere. But, the system won't power up anymore. The lesson here, I guess, is to be careful and check/double check before powering on the system. Don't feel too bad -- I have 3 more systems. Not sure if "liking" this was appropriate, but having been in similar situations many times, wanted to say that I feel your pain (extra 4A's or not, it would be a "string-of-profanities" moment). Once had a hard drive I installed (badly) into an old Atari SH204 case catch fire and nearly burn the house down...the wife was not amused.(neither was I, I lost a 40 Meg drive dammit!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickneff68 Posted September 4, 2017 Author Share Posted September 4, 2017 It does suck, but then again, I bought the system off eBay to do modifications. And, I knew when I bought it that the video didn't work properly. The keyboard also didn't work and I had a replacement to put in it. I'm more upset that the F18 burned up an IC. That was the more expensive part and something I had hoped to put in another one. I still have to see if something is salvageable. The keyboard should be fine and I'll check the power supply. Might see if I can get another cheap one off eBay or somewhere to try again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickneff68 Posted September 4, 2017 Author Share Posted September 4, 2017 Once had a hard drive I installed (badly) into an old Atari SH204 case catch fire and nearly burn the house down...the wife was not amused.(neither was I, I lost a 40 Meg drive dammit!) Yeah, I hear ya! What makes it more disappointing is that these things aren't being made anymore and it hurts a bit to know you've killed one more off! And the puff of smoke off the F18 did cause some swearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tursi Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Talk to Matt. He does repairs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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