Found a timex sinclair, anyone recognize this mod

[masschamber]

Found a Timex Sinclair and I'm going to park check out the inside and it has a mod that I have no idea what it does anyone have any ideas

[monzamess]

So, up front, I don't know; I just wanted to share what I found.

 

First thought is that it's some sort of video mod since that square surface mount chip is the ULA.

 

Second thought is, perhaps that is just how they came from the factory. For reference see the motherboard picture here: https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos.asp?t=1&c=634&st=1

 

Finally, this site might help: http://www.atkinsoft.com/ts2068.html

 

 

[Flojomojo]

I think you're right that's how they came from the factory. I never had a 2068, but the 1000 I had was inexpensive. Not what we would call elegant by today's standards. 
 

Depending where you live, it might have been done for regional/export reasons. These were big in the U.K. but not anywhere else to my knowledge. 
 

I thought these two things were interesting. Disassembly video looks like your pictures. Repair manual has enough detail for you to just about engineer your own, but no photos. 
 

 

TS2068TM.PDF

 

[masschamber]

Guess it is factory, could you imagine bodging every produce item like this on a modern product. .

[jhd]

Someone likes their hot glue... 

 

What is that long, orange component connected to the two capacitors?

[JamesD]

Every one I've seen has a mod like that

[factus10]

Sorry, late to the table here. That's standard. All 2068s have some variation on that.