Andrew's Tech Break
@andrewstechbrk.bsky.social
Spending free time taking a look at, fixing, and conserving Retro and New Tech.
SUCCESS!! One dead memory chip and a dodgy socket for the PAL replaced and this CPC 6128 looks to be all fixed. All tests good and program loads from tape still work.
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
February 8, 2026 at 8:46 PM
SUCCESS!! One dead memory chip and a dodgy socket for the PAL replaced and this CPC 6128 looks to be all fixed. All tests good and program loads from tape still work.
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
IT’S ALIVE! I used the jumper trick to bypass the PAL and hardcode only the first 64k and the machine works. I was even able to read some programs from tape. So this basically means I have a failure in the upper memory or the PAL.
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
February 7, 2026 at 8:26 PM
IT’S ALIVE! I used the jumper trick to bypass the PAL and hardcode only the first 64k and the machine works. I was even able to read some programs from tape. So this basically means I have a failure in the upper memory or the PAL.
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
I figured since the CPC 6128 output is RGB the easiest way to get video out for now is a VGA cable. So wired one up. Unfortunately first power on and I get a grey screen. So the system is outputting something. Let the diagnostics fun begin.
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
February 6, 2026 at 10:05 PM
I figured since the CPC 6128 output is RGB the easiest way to get video out for now is a VGA cable. So wired one up. Unfortunately first power on and I get a grey screen. So the system is outputting something. Let the diagnostics fun begin.
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
Exterior inspection of this Schneider CPC 6128 looks good. Very clean and no signs of wear.
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
February 4, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Exterior inspection of this Schneider CPC 6128 looks good. Very clean and no signs of wear.
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
Reposted by Andrew's Tech Break
Reposted by Andrew's Tech Break
Did you attend Vintage Computer Festival Montréal? Non? Let's chat with Nicolas Maillouski and friends about this new VCF event in Canada! www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpiI...
Let's Chat VCF Montréal w/ Nicolas Maillouski and Friends!
YouTube video by Ron's Computer Videos
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Did you attend Vintage Computer Festival Montréal? Non? Let's chat with Nicolas Maillouski and friends about this new VCF event in Canada! www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpiI...
Wow! Surprising local pickup – a Schneider branded CPC 6128. I know very little about these computers. Looks like I’m learning some German for this one. Now to figure out how to power it and get video out. Time to watch some Youtube videos.
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
February 2, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Wow! Surprising local pickup – a Schneider branded CPC 6128. I know very little about these computers. Looks like I’m learning some German for this one. Now to figure out how to power it and get video out. Time to watch some Youtube videos.
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
#retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128
My Apple III is complete! I wasn’t sure I was ever going to find a 9 key for it. But the gaping hole is now plugged. Combined with a proper Monitor III it’s looking good.
#retrocomputing #apple #appleiii #apple3
#retrocomputing #apple #appleiii #apple3
January 31, 2026 at 12:02 AM
My Apple III is complete! I wasn’t sure I was ever going to find a 9 key for it. But the gaping hole is now plugged. Combined with a proper Monitor III it’s looking good.
#retrocomputing #apple #appleiii #apple3
#retrocomputing #apple #appleiii #apple3
Reposted by Andrew's Tech Break
January 28, 2026 at 2:48 PM
January 23, 2026 at 8:26 PM
January 23, 2026 at 6:46 PM
NABUs are prepped and ready to join Leo’s NABUs at VCF Montreal for some networked retro gaming.
# retrocomputing #VCFMTL #VCF #vcfmontreal
# retrocomputing #VCFMTL #VCF #vcfmontreal
January 14, 2026 at 12:40 AM
NABUs are prepped and ready to join Leo’s NABUs at VCF Montreal for some networked retro gaming.
# retrocomputing #VCFMTL #VCF #vcfmontreal
# retrocomputing #VCFMTL #VCF #vcfmontreal
Unpacking a NABU computer like it’s 1983. Check to see all is good for VCF Montreal.
#retrocomputing #nabu #nabupc #nabuca #nabunetwork #vcfmontreal
#retrocomputing #nabu #nabupc #nabuca #nabunetwork #vcfmontreal
January 11, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Unpacking a NABU computer like it’s 1983. Check to see all is good for VCF Montreal.
#retrocomputing #nabu #nabupc #nabuca #nabunetwork #vcfmontreal
#retrocomputing #nabu #nabupc #nabuca #nabunetwork #vcfmontreal
Never been so nervous re-assembling a keyboard then this Amiga 4000 keyboard with these little rubber cups. What a crazy design.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
January 11, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Never been so nervous re-assembling a keyboard then this Amiga 4000 keyboard with these little rubber cups. What a crazy design.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
UGH! The power supply on the STM5500 decided to die. Clicking of protection. Was fine a month ago. And just before VCF Montreal. The joys of old retro computers.
#retrocomputing #stm5500
#retrocomputing #stm5500
January 10, 2026 at 4:24 PM
UGH! The power supply on the STM5500 decided to die. Clicking of protection. Was fine a month ago. And just before VCF Montreal. The joys of old retro computers.
#retrocomputing #stm5500
#retrocomputing #stm5500
Cleaning another keyboard – this time the one for the Amiga 4000. These are tough keys to pull.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
January 9, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Cleaning another keyboard – this time the one for the Amiga 4000. These are tough keys to pull.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
A little re-cap work on the Amiga 4000 CPU card. Careful scrubbing of the pads and they came clean and accepted some new solder for the new caps. And I figured the 4000 could use a boost with the addition of a 68882.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
January 6, 2026 at 12:50 AM
A little re-cap work on the Amiga 4000 CPU card. Careful scrubbing of the pads and they came clean and accepted some new solder for the new caps. And I figured the 4000 could use a boost with the addition of a 68882.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
January 1, 2026 at 1:47 AM
Inspection continues on the 4000. The caps on the board look good but on the CPU card – Oh Boy! And something fishy happened on one corner of the CPU.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
December 25, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Inspection continues on the 4000. The caps on the board look good but on the CPU card – Oh Boy! And something fishy happened on one corner of the CPU.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore
Oh Boy! Looks like this was a just in time rescue. The battery corrosion is creeping but not too bad. A little vinegar and it’s looking like it’ll clean up. Fingers crossed.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
December 23, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Oh Boy! Looks like this was a just in time rescue. The battery corrosion is creeping but not too bad. A little vinegar and it’s looking like it’ll clean up. Fingers crossed.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
Good news the Amiga 4000 is not an empty box. But it is dirty – YUCK! Smoker.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
December 22, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Good news the Amiga 4000 is not an empty box. But it is dirty – YUCK! Smoker.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
WOW! Early Christmas for me. A pickup from the dream list - an Amiga 4000! I never thought I’d have one of these in the collection or at a price within my budget. I’m floored this is now mine. Hopefully no nasty surprises inside.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
December 21, 2025 at 3:59 PM
WOW! Early Christmas for me. A pickup from the dream list - an Amiga 4000! I never thought I’d have one of these in the collection or at a price within my budget. I’m floored this is now mine. Hopefully no nasty surprises inside.
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
#retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000
Well this Mackintosh U-2200 is all fixed up and restored. This rare piece of Canadian history is ready for VCF Montreal.
#retrocomputing #mackintosh #appleii #unitron #vcfmontreal
#retrocomputing #mackintosh #appleii #unitron #vcfmontreal
December 19, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Well this Mackintosh U-2200 is all fixed up and restored. This rare piece of Canadian history is ready for VCF Montreal.
#retrocomputing #mackintosh #appleii #unitron #vcfmontreal
#retrocomputing #mackintosh #appleii #unitron #vcfmontreal
Unfortunately missing from this U-2200 is the original 80 col card (U-2063-2). But the ROMs are online and I was able to burn them and use them on this clone card. The system has an auto-switch function.
#retrocomputing #mackintosh #appleii #unitron
#retrocomputing #mackintosh #appleii #unitron
November 30, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Unfortunately missing from this U-2200 is the original 80 col card (U-2063-2). But the ROMs are online and I was able to burn them and use them on this clone card. The system has an auto-switch function.
#retrocomputing #mackintosh #appleii #unitron
#retrocomputing #mackintosh #appleii #unitron
November 29, 2025 at 12:07 AM