Rowan Hall
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rowanhall.co.uk
Rowan Hall
@rowanhall.co.uk
48 followers 79 following 68 posts
Retro computer and console enthusiast. Restorer and modder. Belfast
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What a gorgeous deck for its age. Stunning condition
If you post to UK I’ll definitely be buying one of these. Unfortunately Androda was unable to. Do you have a connector for the screen side also, or know of one that would suit?
I do have the board connector, but it’s been mangled and pins bent, but should be able to resolder it into the new cable if I can see where each pin goes
I have seen those and it’s just what I need, but unfortunately the connectors are missing from the screen side, somebody removed it and soldered it directly. Would need to replace that also. It really is horrible work for such a lovely machine.
Can hear the machine booting and appears to get to a desktop. Will take in floppies and can use keyboard to eject and shut down, so hopefully just the display needing sorted. Maybe if there’s even a schematic I could rewire it myself to test before sourcing a ribbon and connector
Great job! I have a backlit portable on my ‘to repair’ list. Previous owner unknown to me bodged the display ribbon with what looks like an chopped up floppy cable. Horrible soldering with an iron up to high and missing connectors on the screen side. Would love to get parts to try and repair this.
I always fancied one of these but the prices have always been strong between these and the netbooks. Interesting you can convert one to the other with the personality module swap
Clearly one of the greatest classics of all time…
Found the files online and got jclpcb to manufacture a batch for me. Worked first time, well impressed. It’s great we have a solution to the weak point on these final psions. If you need a hand with the soldering give me a shout.
Thinking some kind of tin whiskers maybe?
I’ve seen sockets and pin headers go fluffy with some sort of crystals like that before, any idea what causes it?
Out with the old… In with the new… a tidy Psion 5mx is now fully operational again! 👍
A fantastic word indeed, and so common to us I wouldn’t see it strange to others. Would put money of it being of Scots or Ulster-scots origin.
After looking at this Psion 5mx I went for a hoke for others. Kinda surprised me, were tucked away all over the place. Bottom left and bottom right were mine from new. I think the others were bought for parts or repair but were never looked at. I think I have a 3 somewhere also, with the wee screen?
I have a real love for Psion. I was very lucky to get a 3c (2mb backlit model) when I was at school and have been obsessed since. Replaced that with a 5 at uni, then smartphones took over. My old 3c needs work too, in storage it went sticky and hinges snapped. Shame, as i’d always been so careful
Hi, thanks for replying! I agree, as repairing it is not going to be reliable. I tacked a piece of wire onto it, and tested continuity, but I think with the ribbon flexing in the hinge dislodged it, so not ideal. I’ll see what I can find out from that group and will let you know how I get on. Cheers
Anybody got any luck on repairing screen ribbons on a Psion 5mx? I know it’s niche but worth a shot! :) going to try and tack a piece of magnet wire onto it? Can’t hurt surely?
I love this, such a slick layout and the modulator parts built in is the icing on the cake. Top job
Reposted by Rowan Hall
Ugh! eBay sellers strike again. It's not ok to pack vintage hardware in grocery bags.

Parts were missing because the box was busted open.

3D print parts, trim to fit, sand and color match. Not perfect, but better than a giant hole.
Impressive save all the same! Top repair job 👍
Fingers crossed it’s an LC/Performa 475 for that quadra power!
Yep, it’s grand! Did a 600 recently and had the same snags, the smd ones were a joy. The xbox through holes are also wild for this. If you can boost the temp just for the joint I find that helps.
Longer leg is the +ve, will only be a trace so easier hole to clear. What I sometimes do is I clip the -ve leg to about 6mm and press it against the blocked hole on the board, heat fresh solder from the back of the board and push it through. You normally need three hands though :/