leaded solder
@leadedsolder.com
I never met a broken TV I didn't like. Come read the blog at https://www.leadedsolder.com and see what old junk computers I'm fixing this week.
Pinned
leaded solder
@leadedsolder.com
· Nov 13
Hello new readers! This is the bsky account for the Leaded Solder blog at www.leadedsolder.com, which since 2017 I have been writing regular articles on repairing old computers and game consoles.
Also: modern clones of the ColecoVision and the Sega SG-1000, with the VTech CreatiVision ongoing!
Also: modern clones of the ColecoVision and the Sega SG-1000, with the VTech CreatiVision ongoing!
Reposted by leaded solder
New blog post! The Jakks Pacific "Atari Paddle"; it plays only the games that used the less common of the major Atari controller. How well does it do it? nicole.express/2025/paddle-...
Giving the Jakks Atari Paddle a Spin
Some things I like to talk about on this blog are “paddle” games that use a potentiometer to control the player position, and plug-and-play consoles. Oh, and...
nicole.express
November 23, 2025 at 1:39 PM
New blog post! The Jakks Pacific "Atari Paddle"; it plays only the games that used the less common of the major Atari controller. How well does it do it? nicole.express/2025/paddle-...
Reposted by leaded solder
It's official! #PicoIDE, the open source IDE/ATAPI drive emulator I've been working on for the better part of this year, will be launching at Crowd Supply! Go there to sign up for updates and to be notified when the campaign is live: www.crowdsupply.com/polpotronics...
PicoIDE
An open source IDE/ATAPI drive emulator for vintage computers
www.crowdsupply.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:59 AM
It's official! #PicoIDE, the open source IDE/ATAPI drive emulator I've been working on for the better part of this year, will be launching at Crowd Supply! Go there to sign up for updates and to be notified when the campaign is live: www.crowdsupply.com/polpotronics...
New blog post! It's a Samsung CRT TV/VCR that rolled out of the swamp of eBay. Some kids shoved Christmas ornaments in it. And Starburst candies. And a... Pokemon card? That's not what's wrong, though!
#retrogaming #crt #crtrepair
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/11/18/s...
#retrogaming #crt #crtrepair
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/11/18/s...
You’re Out of Timer
Now that there are more clubs forming in my local area, I’ve been thinking about taking some of my junk to shows. Of course, this means I’ll need a cheap small colour TV if anyone wants to see that ju...
www.leadedsolder.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:31 PM
New blog post! It's a Samsung CRT TV/VCR that rolled out of the swamp of eBay. Some kids shoved Christmas ornaments in it. And Starburst candies. And a... Pokemon card? That's not what's wrong, though!
#retrogaming #crt #crtrepair
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/11/18/s...
#retrogaming #crt #crtrepair
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/11/18/s...
Reposted by leaded solder
“Retrocomputing Repair” themed claw game. 🤪
November 16, 2025 at 6:02 AM
“Retrocomputing Repair” themed claw game. 🤪
The MC-10 also does this "put the 1372 in the RF modulator" shenanigan. It even puts the master clock source in there. Perhaps closer cross pollination than I first thought. Great job!
New blog post! Breaking out the Tandy Color Computer 2 for the first time in years, in order to give it a desperately-needed composite video upgrade. Why does this model get neglected in many composite mods? Take a look! nicole.express/2025/cuckoo-...
Composite Mod on the CoCo 2: The UVD Board
Since at least March of 2019, the Tandy Color Computer 2 has sat there, teasing me. It has a Motorola 6847, the tragically disappointing graphics chip, paire...
nicole.express
November 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The MC-10 also does this "put the 1372 in the RF modulator" shenanigan. It even puts the master clock source in there. Perhaps closer cross pollination than I first thought. Great job!
New blog post! The Apple III was perhaps the most unloved machine of Apple's early-80s losing streak, but that doesn't mean this one should have been used as a toilet for mice. Just how bad can it get? #retrocomputing #apple2 #apple3
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/10/28/a...
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/10/28/a...
Three Times the Fun
Repairing an Apple III computer that was damaged by a mouse infestation
www.leadedsolder.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:13 PM
New blog post! The Apple III was perhaps the most unloved machine of Apple's early-80s losing streak, but that doesn't mean this one should have been used as a toilet for mice. Just how bad can it get? #retrocomputing #apple2 #apple3
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/10/28/a...
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/10/28/a...
Reposted by leaded solder
New blog post! Taking a look at a Coleco tabletop game... but is it actually a Coleco? It's time to face off against Mario in Donkey Kong Junior nicole.express/2025/you-got...
Too Good to be First-Party: Coleco's Tabletop Donkey Kong Junior
What was home video gaming like in the early 1980’s? You might consider picturing things like the Atari 2600 or the Intellivision, and those were certainly a...
nicole.express
October 26, 2025 at 12:10 PM
New blog post! Taking a look at a Coleco tabletop game... but is it actually a Coleco? It's time to face off against Mario in Donkey Kong Junior nicole.express/2025/you-got...
Reposted by leaded solder
buy this
October 21, 2025 at 6:03 AM
buy this
Reposted by leaded solder
Reposted by leaded solder
I released a Public Service Announcement video on why you cannot use a Macintosh Portable without a good battery, on a Powerbook or after-market AC adapter: youtu.be/ed7-AqrY70s
PSA: Macintosh Portable Powerbook AC Adapter Damage
YouTube video by THEtechknight
youtu.be
October 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I released a Public Service Announcement video on why you cannot use a Macintosh Portable without a good battery, on a Powerbook or after-market AC adapter: youtu.be/ed7-AqrY70s
New blog post! I got a FujiNet adapter for my Coleco Adam. Then I immediately dropped my homemade power supply on the ground and broke it. Will it ever net the Fujis again? www.leadedsolder.com/2025/10/07/c... #coleco #retrocomputing #kicad
Power Surprise with the ADAM
After dropping my homemade power supply for the Coleco ADAM home computer and breaking it, I had to make a new one so I could test the FujiNet network adapter.
www.leadedsolder.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:31 PM
New blog post! I got a FujiNet adapter for my Coleco Adam. Then I immediately dropped my homemade power supply on the ground and broke it. Will it ever net the Fujis again? www.leadedsolder.com/2025/10/07/c... #coleco #retrocomputing #kicad
This has to be the first one of these remotes I've seen where all the streaming services are actually available in Canada. Too bad I found it in a park in pieces. #elitter
September 30, 2025 at 5:17 PM
This has to be the first one of these remotes I've seen where all the streaming services are actually available in Canada. Too bad I found it in a park in pieces. #elitter
Old blog post! Remember when... I fixed a buddy's clock radio and it had exactly the faults you think it did? #stereorepair www.leadedsolder.com/2023/10/24/b...
No Highs? No Lows? Must’ve Decomposed
Fixing a Bose WaveRadio clock radio that won’t turn on.
www.leadedsolder.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Old blog post! Remember when... I fixed a buddy's clock radio and it had exactly the faults you think it did? #stereorepair www.leadedsolder.com/2023/10/24/b...
September 18, 2025 at 1:17 AM
New blog post! When you want to replace an aging SCSI disk, you go buy a #BlueSCSI. What happens if you want a cheaper BlueSCSI? You can order the parts and build one. What if you want one that costs more AND is more work? Now we're talking. #retrocomputing
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/09/16/d...
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/09/16/d...
Building my own ArdSCSIno
A lot of newer computers need what is called “a hard drive,” and as I work on 16- and even 32-bit ones, I’m finding more need for SCSI drives. There’s already lots of great SCSI emulators out there, b...
www.leadedsolder.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
New blog post! When you want to replace an aging SCSI disk, you go buy a #BlueSCSI. What happens if you want a cheaper BlueSCSI? You can order the parts and build one. What if you want one that costs more AND is more work? Now we're talking. #retrocomputing
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/09/16/d...
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/09/16/d...
Reposted by leaded solder
I forgot to post up my VCFMW table setup yesterday. There were so many lovely folks to chat with and share my love of these systems with.
The lead-up work for conventions is so stressful, but seeing so many folks connect with systems from Japan makes it all worthwhile.
The lead-up work for conventions is so stressful, but seeing so many folks connect with systems from Japan makes it all worthwhile.
September 14, 2025 at 10:26 AM
I forgot to post up my VCFMW table setup yesterday. There were so many lovely folks to chat with and share my love of these systems with.
The lead-up work for conventions is so stressful, but seeing so many folks connect with systems from Japan makes it all worthwhile.
The lead-up work for conventions is so stressful, but seeing so many folks connect with systems from Japan makes it all worthwhile.
Reposted by leaded solder
New blog post! The Sega Master System... Girl? Another variant of Sega's 8-bit console that I haven't looked at before; I hope you enjoy! nicole.express/2025/sega-mi...
The Master System Girl: A Console with Cooties?
Remember Julius Caesar and the Casio Loopy? Today we’re taking another look at a console designed for a market: this time, Brazilian girls. But I suspect tha...
nicole.express
September 14, 2025 at 12:39 PM
New blog post! The Sega Master System... Girl? Another variant of Sega's 8-bit console that I haven't looked at before; I hope you enjoy! nicole.express/2025/sega-mi...
Old blog post! Remember when... I made a halfway decent Atari Jaguar AV output adapter? This thing still works great years later, which continues to surprise me.
www.leadedsolder.com/2021/09/21/a...
#retrogaming #atari #atarijaguar #kicad
www.leadedsolder.com/2021/09/21/a...
#retrogaming #atari #atarijaguar #kicad
Do you want to come for a ride in my Jaaaaaaaag?
Construction of a composite video adapter for the Atari Jaguar 64-bit game console
www.leadedsolder.com
September 2, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Old blog post! Remember when... I made a halfway decent Atari Jaguar AV output adapter? This thing still works great years later, which continues to surprise me.
www.leadedsolder.com/2021/09/21/a...
#retrogaming #atari #atarijaguar #kicad
www.leadedsolder.com/2021/09/21/a...
#retrogaming #atari #atarijaguar #kicad
Reposted by leaded solder
Fucked up in the crib playin soggy-1000
September 1, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Fucked up in the crib playin soggy-1000
Reposted by leaded solder
Do I know anyone with the equipment onhand to program a new U13 CPLD for repairing CV-1000 Cave PCBs? github.com/buffis/cv1k_...
cv1k_research/U13_Research at main · buffis/cv1k_research
Research about Cave CV1000 Hardware. Contribute to buffis/cv1k_research development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Do I know anyone with the equipment onhand to program a new U13 CPLD for repairing CV-1000 Cave PCBs? github.com/buffis/cv1k_...
Reposted by leaded solder
New blog post! The Unique High-Tech Computer... all this time and I've never taken a look at a *proper* famiclone, let's fix that now. nicole.express/2025/a-compu...
A Unique, High-Tech (Family) Computer
There’s a concept that many people have tried, with varying effects: the “educational computer”, a device that a parent can buy for their children to learn t...
nicole.express
September 1, 2025 at 12:04 PM
New blog post! The Unique High-Tech Computer... all this time and I've never taken a look at a *proper* famiclone, let's fix that now. nicole.express/2025/a-compu...
Reposted by leaded solder
In 1980, Nichibutsu put out a brochure which advertised their company, including an extensive look inside their offices.
A very rare peak at the extensive inner workings of even a small Japanese coin-op company.
www.flyercade.com/nichibutsu-v...
A very rare peak at the extensive inner workings of even a small Japanese coin-op company.
www.flyercade.com/nichibutsu-v...
August 31, 2025 at 10:57 PM
In 1980, Nichibutsu put out a brochure which advertised their company, including an extensive look inside their offices.
A very rare peak at the extensive inner workings of even a small Japanese coin-op company.
www.flyercade.com/nichibutsu-v...
A very rare peak at the extensive inner workings of even a small Japanese coin-op company.
www.flyercade.com/nichibutsu-v...
Reposted by leaded solder
“My family thinks I’m at work, just like they used to think I was in school.”
With tens of thousands of arcades shuttered from decades of policy and changing lifestyles, Xu Shouzhong’s arcade is the last one left in Shenyang, a time capsule for the heady days of youth.
With tens of thousands of arcades shuttered from decades of policy and changing lifestyles, Xu Shouzhong’s arcade is the last one left in Shenyang, a time capsule for the heady days of youth.
The Last Tokens
As Shenyang’s youth fades into memory and nostalgia, Xu Shouzhong’s arcade lives on.
www.sixthtone.com
August 28, 2025 at 12:32 PM
“My family thinks I’m at work, just like they used to think I was in school.”
With tens of thousands of arcades shuttered from decades of policy and changing lifestyles, Xu Shouzhong’s arcade is the last one left in Shenyang, a time capsule for the heady days of youth.
With tens of thousands of arcades shuttered from decades of policy and changing lifestyles, Xu Shouzhong’s arcade is the last one left in Shenyang, a time capsule for the heady days of youth.
New blog post! 80s Sony wasn't always an unstoppable cyberpunk megacorp. Sometimes they sat down and spent an unfathomable amount of Bubble money making their own proprietary 8-bit computer from scratch. Let's fix it!
#retrocomputing #sony #smc777 #smc70 #z80
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/08/26/s...
#retrocomputing #sony #smc777 #smc70 #z80
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/08/26/s...
Sony’s Triple Seven
Sony doesn’t like to talk about their SMC-777 very much, but this unloved middle child represents an entire parallel universe of Japanese 8-bit computing. Today, we’ll take an extremely battered examp...
www.leadedsolder.com
August 26, 2025 at 6:51 PM
New blog post! 80s Sony wasn't always an unstoppable cyberpunk megacorp. Sometimes they sat down and spent an unfathomable amount of Bubble money making their own proprietary 8-bit computer from scratch. Let's fix it!
#retrocomputing #sony #smc777 #smc70 #z80
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/08/26/s...
#retrocomputing #sony #smc777 #smc70 #z80
www.leadedsolder.com/2025/08/26/s...
Reposted by leaded solder
I managed to buy a laptop with a copilot key not realizing that it can't be set to act as the ctrl key, and all workarounds ignore the fact that the hardware actually sends "win+shift+f23", taking over the shift button and making shift+ctrl+arrow key selection impossible. Well. NO. MORE. COPILOT.
GitHub - BoyC/NoMoreCopilot: A small driver to kill the goddamn copilot button and turn it into a FULLY functional ctrl button
A small driver to kill the goddamn copilot button and turn it into a FULLY functional ctrl button - BoyC/NoMoreCopilot
github.com
August 26, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I managed to buy a laptop with a copilot key not realizing that it can't be set to act as the ctrl key, and all workarounds ignore the fact that the hardware actually sends "win+shift+f23", taking over the shift button and making shift+ctrl+arrow key selection impossible. Well. NO. MORE. COPILOT.