Mclaneinc Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Group hug... How is this restoration going, any fixes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Carter Posted June 23, 2022 Author Share Posted June 23, 2022 I'm back! Not had a chance to achieve anything yet, everytime I look to get into my mancave, someone at work decides it's time to go off sick, so I get called in... Wouldn't be so bad if I got paid overtime, but being salaried means free labour! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mclaneinc Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Ouch, that must annoy.. Best of luck with the XL Si.. Paul.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Carter Posted June 23, 2022 Author Share Posted June 23, 2022 Looks like my paying off the plague fairy worked as my poorly member of staff magically recovered... Here's the progress: Fitted five sockets, I foolishly thought I had enough lying around, I was wrong. If at the end of the day, this doesnt work, at least I've had some soldering practice! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGB1718 Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 6 minutes ago, Simon Carter said: I've had some soldering practice! Soldering looks pretty much ok ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacka013 Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 I would take a look at the sockets that you've already soldered, as some of them need more solder. Do you use a liquid flux when soldering? If not, it is a good practice to use it. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mclaneinc Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 You beat me to it, the accepted end result should a shiny dome, some need a top up, and yep, extra flux is always a good way to go. The small hassle of cleaning the board after is worth it. Good luck with all the fixes.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Carter Posted June 23, 2022 Author Share Posted June 23, 2022 21 minutes ago, blacka013 said: I would take a look at the sockets that you've already soldered, as some of them need more solder. Do you use a liquid flux when soldering? If not, it is a good practice to use it. Regards Looking at the photos, a few look ropey, when they looked OK in normal light. Answer to flux question is a 'no' but will change to a yes once I get some. Always learning . Was the first time I'd tried something like this so advice is always welcome! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mclaneinc Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Always worth learning with these old machines, they won't last forever so will eventually need parts swapping. Also, it's worth learning good soldering practice because of the age of the machines, just enough time on the pad to get the solder flowing but don't hang around as these traces / pads lift easily, no trying force chips out, the chance of ripping or lifting the trace is high. All of it just common sense. One practice I've seen a few times is to twist off SMD cap tops so you are just left with the legs to remove, personally I think it's daft, but I'm no professional .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Carter Posted June 30, 2022 Author Share Posted June 30, 2022 Despite my ham-fisted attempts at soldering, I have actually managed to get my wee beastie functional again!!! Initially thought I was unsuccessful, and was about to pop the replace the CPU when I decided to recheck the RAM sockets and noticed I'd completely missed a pin. Just need to test the keyboard, and give the bugger a damn good scrub. Thanks to all for your help and advice. I now have 3 function A8s and I'll be cracking on with a 65XE that arrived off eBay, non-working. Electronic repair virginity now lost for me... Regards Si 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Well done, another one saved ? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookt Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Love to see a vintage machine brought back from the dead! Great job! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mclaneinc Posted July 2, 2022 Share Posted July 2, 2022 There's been a rash of successful repairs as of late, let's hope the trend keeps going, well done to the repair people and those that offer very detailed suggestions..Stars, all of you.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisible kid Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 (edited) Needed something to run Prince of Persia. Acquired a 130XE. Some keys didn't work. Installed new mylar and pcb connector. Accidentally snapped off two plastic pieces to bottom case. Ugly superglue brute force fix. SIO port only worked when cable is pressed hard and held in place. Reflowed solder. Monitor port missing composite signal. New midi connector installed. Another Atari is awakened! Perhaps my shoddy work can inspire others! Edited July 7, 2022 by invisible kid 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Carter Posted July 8, 2022 Author Share Posted July 8, 2022 3 hours ago, invisible kid said: Needed something to run Prince of Persia. Acquired a 130XE. Some keys didn't work. Installed new mylar and pcb connector. Accidentally snapped off two plastic pieces to bottom case. Ugly superglue brute force fix. SIO port only worked when cable is pressed hard and held in place. Reflowed solder. Monitor port missing composite signal. New midi connector installed. Another Atari is awakened! Perhaps my shoddy work can inspire others! Not at the stage yet where I am modding my Ataris, but once I've wrangled my latest 65XE into compliance, I'll look into it. I was frankly astonished my 800XL worked after my efforts. Am having more issues with the XE, had a nightmare removing the RAM, but should be plain sailing after that 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisible kid Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 Yeah, I have the "bad" ram chips, will probably have to replace soon. Not looking forward to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beeblebrox Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 3 hours ago, invisible kid said: Yeah, I have the "bad" ram chips, will probably have to replace soon. Not looking forward to it. @invisible kidah its not too bad. Good luck. ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DrVenkman Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 On 7/7/2022 at 7:58 PM, invisible kid said: Yeah, I have the "bad" ram chips, will probably have to replace soon. Not looking forward to it. If you’re inexperienced with desoldering and removing components, find some scrap/non-working old electronics and practice. It’s very easy to damage pads or lift a trace otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisible kid Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 (edited) I'm like a bull in a china shop, so my pcb must be very forgiving, but I have heard that a lot. I am going to wait until at least one chip fails. I will probably wreck something when I try as they are harder to get at then the others I worked on. It looks like I might do more damage trying to snip the legs of the current chips. I have the chips and a ram tester ready to go though. Crossing fingers they'll hold up. Edited July 10, 2022 by invisible kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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