Noels Retro Lab
Upgrading a Laptop from 1988 - Amstrad PPC512
updated
Sometimes it seems that everything goes wrong when building a project. This was one of those times! Some of it was me making bad decisions and some... well, I won't spoil it 😃
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
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Links:
- BigBadBiologist channel @BigBadBench
- Nano SwinSID project http://www.tolaemon.com/nss
- Zadig (USB drivers) https://zadig.akeo.ie/
- Device ID list ctrl-alt-rees.com/2022-07-03-eprom-device-id-list.html
- Ctrl-Alt-Rees @ctrlaltrees
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools used in this video (affiliate links):
Signal generator amzn.to/3O2DMMB
Oscilloscope amzn.to/48OnYoB
Power supply amzn.to/3RYPrNA
Other tools I use noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:26 Memory-mapped IO
01:38 Dedicated IO lines
02:53 OUT
05:28 Measuring
08:33 What about B?
13:08 Amstrad CPC
17:18 Alternative to OUT
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Links:
Original 1MB expansion github.com/revaldinho/cpc_ram_expansion/wiki/Universal-Amstrad-CPC-RAM-Card
Updated 1MB expansion github.com/Rebobinando/CPC-1MB-RAM-Expansion
MiniWare TS80P soldering iron amzn.to/3SzhNzS
McKlain music mcklain.bandcamp.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:50 How can an 8-bit computer have more than 64KB?
02:23 RAM expansion
06:14 CPLD
07:12 Build
09:37 RAM test
13:09 80s programs that use more RAM
17:26 Modern OSs
20:56 Cost
21:19 Conclusion
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
PCBWay pcbway.com
The Agon Light claims to be the fastest and cheapest 8-bit computer in the world. Is that true? Let's have a look at it and learn about its surprising "re-writable" architecture.
Links:
Agon Light thebyteattic.com/p/agon.html
Agon Light Github github.com/TheByteAttic/AgonLight
TheByteAttic channel youtube.com/@thebyteattic
BBC Basic port bbcbasic.co.uk/bbcbasic/z80basic.html
BASIC benchmarck page docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bfWSR2Ngy1RPedS6j-M607eeAhsd40-nhAfswILzzS8/edit#gid=22692068
Agon Console8 heber.co.uk/agon-console8
Agon Console 8 Github github.com/AgonConsole8/agon-vdp
Agon Light at PCBWay pcbway.com/project/shareproject/Agon_Light_abf1fa16.html
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
03:14 Exterior
04:43 Specs
05:31 BASIC and benchmark
10:04 Architecture
14:13 Re-writeable architecture
19:23 Updating firmware
20:46 Level 1: BASIC
21:58 Level 2: Z80
23:43 Level 3: VDP
25:36 Getting one
27:06 Conclusion
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Fixing computers is hard enough. But fixing computers other people tried to fix and failed... that's the stuff of nightmares and this is a perfect example of that.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
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Tools I used:
- Bench power supply amzn.to/3PdKdh4
- TOPDON thermal camera (iOS) amzn.to/45jFMa1
- TOPDON thermal camera (Android) amzn.to/45BYGZm
- Hantek oscilloscope amzn.to/3Ew2wYJ
- Amstrad diagnostics ROM github.com/llopis/amstrad-diagnostics
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:32 Power
01:06 Inspection
03:11 Voltages
04:07 Temperature
09:23 Signals
14:49 Stuck test
19:53 CRTC?
26:11 ROM
31:46 Final touches
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#repair #retro
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
Secoinsa FM-7 ROM dump noelsretrolab.com/uploads/FM7SecoinsaROMs.zip
CGA2SCART serdashop.com/CGA2SCART-PRO
FM-7 Discord server discord.gg/fk96hZkyvV
Serial RS232 card pcbway.com/project/shareproject/Fujitsu_Micro_7_FM_7_Serial_Communication_Card_8ca44f83.html
YM2203C sound card pcbway.com/project/shareproject/Fujitsu_Micro_7_FM_7_YM2203C_sound_card_fe5344a1.html
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:45 Outside
02:09 Inside
06:07 VRAM
12:26 Monochrome video
15:11 Color video
18:32 Secoinsa
20:18 Graphics processor commands
22:54 Conclusion
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
- Amstrad diagnostics ROM github.com/llopis/amstrad-diagnostics
- 🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:18 Initial test
03:10 Keyboard
05:48 Pixel test
07:14 Video generation
08:39 Multiplexors
11:25 Signal testing
13:42 Traces
15:55 Extra test
17:06 ROM
18:50 Conclusion
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#repair #amstrad #retro
Cassette tapes degrade over time, and eventually you may not be able to read the data stored in them. In this episode, we dive into the technical details of cassette tape data recovery: how data is encoded, what we can do to recover it, and what kind of tools we can use.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
- SVI-CAS msx.org/forum/msx-talk/hardware/svi-cas-image-player-initial-announcement?page=0
- TI99/4A tape format http://www.unige.ch/medecine/nouspikel/ti99/cassette.htm#Cassette%20tape%20format
- Classic99 emulator github.com/tursilion/classic99
- CS1er http://www.cs1er.com
- DumpListEditor http://bugfire2009.ojaru.jp/download.html
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:36 Amplification
02:22 How is data stored?
07:15 TI99/4A format
10:13 Emulator
12:00 DumpListEditor
13:28 CS1er
15:50 Merging recordings
17:59 GOGFIGHT
19:12 Conclusion
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#cassette #retro
My neighbor surprised me by giving me his childhood TI99/4A and a bunch of accessories and he asked to come by the lab if I got it working. Today I get to pay him back, show him his restored computer and try to recover a game from cassette that was lost for 38 years.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
Gaming Alexandria gamingalexandria.com
Tape dumping tutorial by Dustin youtube.com/watch?v=OWpTHZC53YE
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:59 Power supply
03:56 Video cable and test
06:03 Disassembly
07:20 Cassette tapes
09:11 Testing
09:51 Data recovery
14:35 Loading on the TI99/4A
17:27 Putting it all together
20:41 John's visit
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
Plan music by Marcus Lim youtube.com/watch?v=EAS4t1IKm1A
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
This video was sponsored by Brilliant.
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
3D printing is an excellent complement to retro computing. Here I share my experiences with filament and resin printers, in addition to 3D-printing services.
🛠 Printers
Creality Ender 3 S1 Pro amzn.to/3nOUjd0
Elegoo Mars 2 Pro amzn.to/418LWHg
PCBWay 3D printing pcbway.com/rapid-prototyping/3d-printing
3D Models:
- Atari/SVI cartridge thingiverse.com/thing:1790785
- C64 stand thingiverse.com/thing:3921140
- 1084 monitor door thingiverse.com/thing:4289506
- 1084 monitor hinge thingiverse.com/thing:5259735
- ZX80 case thingiverse.com/thing:1880449
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
03:00 Cartridge shell
08:02 Computer stand
09:51 Monitor door
14:59 Key (filament)
18:09 Key (resin)
23:33 Materials
24:21 Computer case
25:58 Online printing
28:38 Modeling
30:46 Conclusions
This video was sponsored by Brilliant.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#3dprinting
Making video cables is time consuming and error-prone, but sometimes you just have to do it. Let's go over how to do it while I build one I needed.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I used 🛠 (with affiliate links)
Panavise Junior amzn.to/3laLxov
Soldering station amzn.to/3ZSP3Dm
Solder amzn.to/3mP5Yb6
Hakko cutter amzn.to/3yCSX76
Fluke 117 multimeter amzn.to/42c3dAH
Chapters
00:00 Why build cables
03:03 Video signals
07:24 Sponsor
08:58 Extra signals
10:03 Planning
16:20 Soldering
19:27 Testing connections
20:27 Testing video
22:14 Assembly
22:46 Potential problems
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
Sublime Z80 extension github.com/psbhlw/sublime-text-z80asm/tree/master/z80asm
Visual Studio Z80 extension discord.com/channels/697529048318083206/747483976754528407/1078251550264266762
Asesprite aseprite.org
Arkos Tracker 2 julien-nevo.com/arkostracker
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:59 Setting your goals
02:13 New techniques
03:03 New games for retro platforms
04:05 Take advantage of new developments
05:14 Choosing a target retro platform
07:44 Choosing a coding platform
09:31 Using modern computers to create games
09:49 An ideal setup...
10:24 Source code editors
10:51 Building the code
11:48 Running the program
12:10 Choosing emulators
12:23 Launching the emulator automatically
13:23 Get two emulators
13:57 Automating outputs with scripts
15:18 Managing assets
17:16 Tools to create content
18:28 Graphics: Aseprite
19:17 Music: Arkos Tracker 2
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#retrogame #gamedev
Universal sockets can be dangerous! Let's learn why exactly and how we can replace it.
Links:
Transformer amzn.to/3CWCuNR
Technology Connections about the US plug system youtube.com/watch?v=udNXMAflbU8
Tools used:
Fluke 117 multimeter amzn.to/3GYaHh9
Toauto DS90 soldering station amzn.to/3XvmbzF
Dremel 4000 amzn.to/3ZJZHg1
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:22 Partial insertion
02:41 Earth connection
06:29 Disassembly
09:07 Modification
12:02 Testing
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
CZUR ET24-Pro Scanner http://shop.czur.com
Scanner on Amazon amzn.to/3G9rJcI
Radio Shack 1986 Canadian Catalog archive.org/details/radio-shack-catalog-1986-canada
Amstrad CPC material: acpc.me/?language=eng#
Apple II material: ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
03:10 Flat-bed scanner
03:51 CZUR scanner
04:57 Flat cardstock
05:35 Brochure (shiny)
06:06 Spiral-bound book
06:56 Lay-flat book
07:38 Why do we care?
09:55 Hard to open book
11:05 Magazine
11:31 LARGE magazine
12:31 Importance of magazines
13:25 Radio Shack catalog
15:24 Game boxes
17:47 Boards
19:23 Conclusion
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#scanner #retro #magazines
CRT monitors can be dangerous. Let's learn how to work on them safely while fixing this monochrome Amstrad monitor.
Links:
Fluke High Voltage Probe amzn.to/3AG1DLs
Cal Test High Voltage Probe amzn.to/3i7YXzU
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:38 12V PSU test
02:30 Opening
02:51 Discharging
06:36 Inspection
08:27 Cleaning
09:03 Replacing regulator
10:38 Case
11:50 Testing
13:59 Future mod
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#crt #repair #hvp
Let's figure out what we need to do to use any retro computer anywhere in the world.
Affiliate links:
3000W Voltage Transformer amzn.to/3zVK5KP
Fluke 117 Multimeter amzn.to/3FZVDRc
OSSC Video Converter amzn.to/3Ej7Krb
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Mains voltage
06:25 Transformer
11:58 AC frequency
13:02 Plug shape
13:46 Video signal
17:07 Testing
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠🛠 Hand tools 🛠🛠
• Stanley screwdriver set amzn.to/3Bgg5L1
• Precision screwdriver set amzn.to/3RE3q9M
• Wera screwdriver set amzn.to/3TKbFTx
• Schmitz pliers amzn.to/3cM0WHP
• Hakko cutters amzn.to/3TINx3R
• Tweezers set amzn.to/3BgJu7u
🛠🛠 Multimeter 🛠🛠
• CircuitSpecialists circuitspecialists.com/digital-multimeter-csi2010.html
• UNI-T amzn.to/3ASK9KX
• Kaiweets KM601 amzn.to/3KNjsfj
• Fluke 117 amzn.to/3BfWiLG
• Bside A10 amzn.to/3cJ77fP
🛠🛠 Soldering 🛠🛠
• ToAuto DS90 solder station amzn.to/3edDxPI
• Desoldering pump amzn.to/3RzgQUE
• Kester solder amzn.to/3REeQdE
• United Static Control ESD mat ultrastatinc.com/Bench_options_electratherm.html
🛠🛠 Oscilloscope 🛠🛠
• Hantek DS5202P circuitspecialists.com/hantek-200mhz-digital-storage-oscilloscope-dso5202p.html
• Hantek 2D42 handheld amzn.to/3RvGSby
• Hantek 6022BE USB amzn.to/3CZpyHD
🛠🛠 Desoldering 🛠🛠
• ZD 915 desoldering station amzn.to/3BcXsaI
• 858D hot air station amzn.to/3QqKkDm
🛠🛠 Power supply 🛠🛠
• Siglent SPD3303X-E amzn.to/3cRxksn
• Korad PSU amzn.to/3RHx9Pn
🛠🛠 Magnifying tools 🛠🛠
• Light with 5X magnifying glass amzn.to/3cIthik
• Magnifying glasses amzn.to/3TLNfsO
• Andonstar AD249MS amzn.to/3RlfCMW
• Andonstar ADSM302 amzn.to/3wTCNpu
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:39 Work surface
02:14 Hand tools
05:14 #notsponsored
05:26 Multimeters
09:50 Solder station
13:22 ESD mat
16:49 Oscilloscopes
20:19 Desoldering
21:51 Bench power supply
23:05 Magnifying tools
25:16 Monitor and computer
26:19 Conclusion
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#electronics #tools
Join me setting up the new Retro Lab space! From an early look, to painting and preparing the space, and the (close to) final retro room.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:17 First look
02:21 Layout
03:39 VPN
05:09 Retro road trip
08:14 Painting
10:52 Standing desk
14:10 Retro space
16:42 Final look
Join FlexiSpot Member Day during 28-31 July! Up to $100 OFF! bit.ly/3zvQAnU
FlexiSpot Pro Plus Standing Desk E7
bit.ly/3Benmex (US site)
bit.ly/3b6A9Fh (CAN site)
Get an extra $30 OFF when buy through my link bit.ly/3PTmWhS
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
Byte Shop: byteshop.io
FlexiSpot share.flexispot.com/x/vcByG9
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
#retro #studiotour #studio
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Let's see if a simple cartridge could turn an SVI-328 into a full MSX computer. And then, let's make a replica board which can be used as a generic ROM cartridge for the SVI-328.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
PCB design by John's Basement youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3by7evD3F51fKkyrUbH-PCdwPCWc9F8a
SVI328 ROM Cartridge github.com/llopis/SVI328-ROM-Cartridge
Order from PCBWay pcbway.com/project/shareproject/SVI328_ROM_Cartridge_e1c1a644.html
SVI to MSX Converter User Manual (Spanish) noelsretrolab.com/uploads/SVI328_MSX_Manual.pdf
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:33 Cartridge review
01:44 MSX Basic
04:42 Running MSX games
09:50 PCB design
14:39 Cartridge build
20:14 Wrap up and future ideas
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#kicad #msx #cartridge
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:57 Initial checkup
02:45 Clock signals
04:28 Candidates
06:25 What are those signals?
08:26 Conclusion and announcement
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#amstrad #z80 #retrocomputer
What should have been a relatively straightforward repair of an Oric Atmos, turned into a wild chase for the true source of the problem. Tests kept pointing me in one direction, but my gut told me it was something else.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:22 Look inside
03:43 Voltages
05:21 Clocks
08:16 RAM
09:17 Diagnostics ROM
12:50 RAM circuit
15:02 ULA
16:08 Power
18:51 Last try
20:38 Testing
21:13 Making sense of things
23:46 Conclusion
Links:
Oric diagnostics ROM oric.signal11.org.uk/html/diagrom.htm
Blake's 7 defence-force.org/index.php?page=games&game=blakes7
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
03:20 SVI
05:59 MSX
07:13 Peeking inside
08:03 Amstrad
08:43 Saving
10:07 Sinclair computers
12:38 Dragon
13:29 Acorn computers
14:44 Oric
15:31 Troubleshooting
16:51 Commodore computers
19:38 Other computers
20:16 Output wave and speed test
22:58 Price and ordering
24:19 Conclusions
Links:
SVI-CAS manual and ordering info http://users.tpg.com.au/romsey/SVI/SVI-CAS_Owners_Manual.pdf
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#cassette #loading #tape
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:11 Transistors
04:14 Clock circuit
06:54 Simple circuit
09:09 Faster!
14:16 Real signal
16:50 Testing in board
19:30 Amstrad circuit
20:47 Conclusion
Links:
Online simulator tinyurl.com/y6vfkjbw
The Art of Electronics 2nd Edition pearl-hifi.com/06_Lit_Archive/02_PEARL_Arch/Vol_16/Sec_51/4420_The_Art_of_Electronics.pdf
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:00 Replica PCB
03:29 Assembly
05:48 Short!
12:44 Transistors
15:07 ICs
16:41 Clock circuit
18:33 CPU clock
23:10 Input
24:49 Conclusion
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
Bob's Bits Replica Boards tindie.com/stores/bobsbits
Amstrad CPC Mainboards: https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Mainboard_Versions
#janstrad playlist youtube.com/hashtag/janstrad
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#amstrad #janstrad #janstrad2022
This rare cartridge claims to convert an SVI-328 into an MSX-compatible computer... or close to it. There are two problems though: 1) The cartridge doesn't work and 2) There's no information about it on the Internet. So this is our chance to recover some early computer history, restore the device, and get as much information as we can about it for the future.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:52 MSX
02:47 Test and teardown
04:57 Approach 1
06:13 Approach 2
07:30 Approach 3
08:24 Approach 4
09:47 The real problem
11:47 Comparing ROMs
13:31 Reprogramming in place
15:31 New EPROM
17:40 Soldering problem
20:06 Conclusion
Links:
ROMs and docs download.file-hunter.com/Archive/SVI-328%20to%20MSX%20Converter%20by%20CCG%20(ROM%20%26%20Manual).zip
FX project page http://msxfx.blogspot.com
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:39 Accelerators
02:53 PiStorm features
03:43 Installation (cheat mode)
05:47 First power on
07:27 Configuration
12:14 WHDLoad
13:57 Acceleration
17:23 Incompatibilities
18:56 Transfer
20:18 More features
21:58 Rambling
24:31 Cost
25:56 Conclusion
Links:
PiStorm project github.com/captain-amygdala/pistorm
RetroWiki thread http://retrowiki.es/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=200036891
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#commodore #amiga #raspberrypi
Let's answer a few questions about the dead KERNAL ROM from the previous VIC-20 repair episode.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
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Links:
Retro Chip Tester Pro https://8bit-museum.de/sonstiges/hardware-projekte/hardware-projekte-chip-tester-english/
EPROM adapter: github.com/SukkoPera/Open2327RomAdapter
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Then we'll do a full restoration and we'll compare two different ways to clean the keycaps (one of them requires no work beyond removing the keys!).
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Today's goal is to repair a VIC-20 with a black screen. Along the way I make some incorrect assumptions that take me off track for a bit. But eventually I correct course and double-check those assumptions.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
Sven Petersen's diagnostics harness: github.com/svenpetersen1965/VIC-20_Diagnostics
EPROM adapter: github.com/SukkoPera/Open2327RomAdapter
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:47 Firmware flash
02:34 DRAM
06:00 Voltage test
08:39 ROMs
09:14 74xx logic
11:05 C64
16:28 Fixes
18:05 Misc ICs
19:50 Chip selection
21:48 In-circuit testing
24:53 Price and conclusion
Links:
BackBit Chip Tester Pro store.backbit.io/product/chip-tester
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:36 Original PSU
03:01 Meanwell PSUs
05:06 Modifying the case
08:46 Connecting cables
13:46 Testing voltages
16:07 Amiga test
17:22 Conclusion
Links:
Mounting plate thingiverse.com/thing:4530997
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Let's settle this question once and for all: Is the Dragon computer a clone of the Tandy Color Computer? Let's have a close look at a Dragon 64 and a CoCo 2 to try and answer that question. Along the way I may end up making a composite video mod for the CoCo and what's possibly the world's worst multi-cart system for both computers.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:06 History
03:40 External comparison
05:50 Internal comparison
08:44 Composite video mod
10:07 Motorola reference design
11:39 Software differences
13:32 Dragon on CoCo
14:30 Code differences
16:24 Multi-platform cartridge
20:54 NTSC
21:38 Hardware devices
23:59 Conclusions
Links:
ROM adapter github.com/SukkoPera/Open2327RomAdapter
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#septandy #septandy2021
This Dragon 64 was working... but had really messed up colors. What I thought would be a quick fix adjusting a couple of potentiometers, ended up turning into a deep dive into the world of PAL color generation and discovering how the tiniest glitches can wreak havoc on the full system.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Board overview
03:01 Video signals
05:57 LK2
09:25 Encoder
11:18 Other tries
12:42 Circuit analysis
16:38 Select signal
18:08 Short!
22:29 Final test
24:40 Dragon 32 surprise
25:24 Conclusion
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
Andonstar microscope andonstar.com/?product=adsm302-digital-microscope
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#septandy #dragon64 #septandy2021
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:39 Battery removal
03:52 Assessing damage
04:42 Testing chips
06:04 CR2032 holder
10:02 Charging current
13:44 Recap
14:32 Testing
17:44 Conclusion
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#commodore #amiga #battery
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:43 Visual inspection
02:23 Voltages
04:48 Clock signals
08:24 Video signals
10:32 ROM
12:30 CRTC
14:38 Cartridge ROM
17:50 Gate Array
21:06 EPROM fix
23:54 Conclusion
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#amstrad #retrocomputer #repair
Today I'm taking a sad-looking Amiga 500 and restoring it into something much better looking and much more functional. I try both retrobrighting with sun (sunbrighting?) and with liquid hydrogen peroxide with different results. Finally, I swap out the internal floppy disk drive for a Gotek with an external OLED screen.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:48 First look
02:25 Opening it up
05:30 Cleaning and retrobright
09:33 Gotek
16:24 Sunbright results
18:07 Gotek mounting
22:21 Key results
23:10 Comparisons
24:42 Conclusion
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Links:
RetroRecipes on Subrighting youtube.com/watch?v=8P1OVj0IcqY
In-depth video about Retrobright youtube.com/watch?v=YPl356YKcVs
Gotek support model thingiverse.com/thing:2745049
Flashfloppy github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:54 Cassette audio
02:05 Audio data encoding
03:03 Measurements from tape
05:44 TZX
08:28 Loading code
12:41 Arduino issues
19:01 Cassette port issues
21:41 Alternate port
24:25 Conclusion
Links:
Noel's Retro Lab web site noelsretrolab.com
TZX Format http://k1.spdns.de/Develop/Projects/zasm/Info/TZX%20format.html
TZXDuino Reloaded github.com/arananet/TzxDuino-Reloaded
Maxduino Firmware github.com/rcmolina/MaxDuino_v1.67
Hyperloader and CDT Scripts github.com/llopis/HyperLoader
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:45 Box
02:00 Unboxing
04:10 Joystick
05:28 Manual
07:22 VIC-20 comparison
08:43 Opening it up
11:08 Display options
14:04 C64
15:17 Benchmarks
17:35 Games
19:38 Input lag
21:13 Advanced features
24:36 Conclusion
Links:
TheVIC20 Official Site https://retrogames.biz/thec64/support
VICDoom github.com/Kweepa/vicdoom
TheC64/TheVIC20 modding community https://thec64community.online/
BASIC benchmark results docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bfWSR2Ngy1RPedS6j-M607eeAhsd40-nhAfswILzzS8/edit#gid=22692068
Purchase it:
TheVIC20 (affiliate link) amzn.to/3lCUMvw
TheC64 (affiliate link) amzn.to/3jjAa8U
TheC64 Mini (affiliate link) amzn.to/3fBIv6L
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:39 Build
04:50 Programming microcontroller
09:10 Power on
10:25 Basic functionality
13:29 DRAM
17:33 Database
18:47 SRAM
19:22 Logic chips
20:10 LCD!
22:43 ROM
24:18 Cost
25:07 Conclusion
Links:
Retro Chip Tester Pro https://8bit-museum.de/sonstiges/hardware-projekte/hardware-projekte-chip-tester-english/
Interactive BOM project github.com/openscopeproject/InteractiveHtmlBom
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:45 CIA
03:07 ToD
07:04 TLL
09:10 CMOS
10:29 TTL vs CMOS experiment
14:08 Fake chip tests
17:30 Zener fix
20:16 Final touches
21:34 Conclusion
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
Today I have a SixtyClone replica board of a Commodore 64 that was fully populated but it's not working. What could possibly be wrong? This should be interesting because it's not a regular repair of a computer that was previously working. Here literally anything could be wrong! Let's find out!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:08 Voltages
05:52 Tantalum capacitor
08:23 Video signal
13:10 Diagnostics
16:09 Final tests
17:32 Conclusion
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
Links:
SixtyClone boards tindie.com/products/bobsbits/sixtyclone-commodore-64-replica-pcbs
Music tracks:
Intro music by Marcus Lim youtube.com/watch?v=EAS4t1IKm1A
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#commodore #c64 #repair
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:45 Original image
02:33 Board overview
04:21 Adjusting trimmers
06:11 Looking at the signal
08:10 Multicolor mode
12:21 Video circuit
14:42 S-video
17:50 Composite video mod
19:43 Heat sinks
20:33 Final tests
22:16 Conclusion
Links:
S video mod http://sleepingelephant.com/denial/wiki/index.php?title=S-Video_output
High res images http://sleepingelephant.com/ipw-web/bulletin/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6569
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#vic20 #commodore
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:48 How does 4164 DRAM work
01:29 Testing DRAM with an Arduino
02:40 Home-made tester
06:07 DRAM tester build
09:38 Trying out the tester
16:39 Drawbacks
20:24 Conclusions
Links:
Arduino DRAM Tester sample code github.com/llopis/dram-tester
DRAM Tester Kit pcbgeeks.com
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#arduino #ram
There are many ways to add an audio-in jack to an Amstrad CPC 464, but what's the best way to do that? Let's dig deep into how the cassette sound data is processed and amplified and find out. Then we'll be able to load any file from an updated TZXDuino Reloaded or even any smartphone or tablet.
To wrap things up, I try to answer one of the unanswered questions I had about the Amstrad: How exactly are we hearing the tape loading sound?
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:09 Building a TZXDuino
04:41 MAXDuino firmware
06:41 Cassette sound data
07:52 Best place for audio in
11:04 No sound!
13:48 Audio connector
15:32 Remote signal
18:18 Loading from iPad
20:57 New audio in connection
22:35 Cassette loading sound
27:46 Conclusion
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Links:
TZXDuino Reloaded github.com/arananet/TzxDuino-Reloaded
MAXDuino github.com/rcmolina/MaxDuino_v1.67
CPCWiki thread about audio https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/what-causes-the-tape-data-to-be-heard-on-the-speaker-on-the-cpc-464/
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#arduino #amstrad #amplifier
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:34 External monitor
02:45 Startup time
05:07 HDMI cable
07:45 Input lag
12:15 Visible artifacts
13:19 Original LCD look
14:42 Composite CGA
16:31 Temperature
18:23 Emulation
19:14 Buying one
19:49 Conclusion
Links:
RGB to HDMI project github.com/hoglet67/RGBtoHDMI/wiki
ctrl-alt-rees channel youtube.com/c/ctrlaltrees
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#rgbtohdmi #cga #amstradppc
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:07 First check
01:47 Power issues
04:38 Video generation
07:01 Gate Array
10:47 ROM
12:44 Charred surprise
14:07 Z80
15:12 RAM
18:47 Why?
22:38 Luminance and sync
26:24 Conclusion
Links:
Commented ROM disassembly https://cpctech.cpcwiki.de/docs/os.asm
Amstrad Diagnostics ROM github.com/llopis/amstradcpc-rom-check
Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#amstrad #retro #repair
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:51 Prep work
02:42 Colors
04:16 Painting
08:02 Rusted metal
10:56 Restoring the manual
12:16 Putting case back together
14:47 Badges
16:03 Final result
17:00 Testing
18:07 Conclusion
Links:
RMC case-painting episode: youtube.com/watch?v=OKDMZCEeBd4&t=138s
C64 replacement badges: etsy.com/listing/797301643/commodore-c64-label-aufkleber-sticker
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#commodore #c64 #restoration
Let's use a Raspberry Pi Zero and the RGB to HDMI project to convert a CGA signal into something a modern LCD can understand. This is the third option to replace the horrible LCD on the Amstrad PPC with a modern one. And of course, we need to figure out how to fit everything back inside the case. I'm really pleased with the final result!
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:22 Recap
01:14 Revisiting GBS8200
02:12 RGB to HDMI
04:01 Building the RGBtoHDMI
06:58 Programming the CPLD
08:37 Connecting to CGA signal
09:29 Testing it with the Amstrad
12:02 RGBtoHDMI cost breakdown
13:22 Fitting everything inside the case
19:30 Missing colors!
22:13 Single-button control
23:36 Final test
24:42 Conclusions
Links:
RGBtoHDMI project page github.com/hoglet67/RGBtoHDMI
Questions thread stardot.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14430
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#amstrad #lcd #cga
Next time we'll come back for Part 3, fix up the case, and put it all back together.
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:25 Cartridge tracks
03:57 Sockets
05:38 First power up
08:42 All chips back in
10:53 CIA trouble
13:33 More CIA trouble!
17:02 Restoring edge connector
19:05 SID
19:43 Screen corruption
24:26 SID tests
26:22 Conclusion
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#commodore #c64 #repair
Support Noel's Retro Lab on Patreon: patreon.com/NoelsRetroLab
Let's go through a full tape deck tune up for the Amstrad CPC 464. A lot of this should apply to other computers (ZX Spectrum +2) and even standalone tape decks. We'll clean it, check the belts, check the azimuth, replace the counter reset button, and fix up the pause button. Also, since they come integrated in the 464, I'll also service the main switch and the volume wheel.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:45 Power switch
03:26 Volume wheel
04:33 Tape deck checkup
08:58 Tests
13:34 Azimuth adjustment
15:16 Counter reset button
16:58 Pause button fix
20:54 Reassembling
23:09 Final test
25:23 Conclusion
Links:
Azimut Locator program cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=6091
Pin straightener tool amazon.co.uk/Spiratronics-TH2-013-IC-Straightener-Tool/dp/B0093Z7JH0
Reset button model thingiverse.com/thing:3340706
More awesome music by McKlain: mcklain.com
You can also support Noel's Retro Lab on YouTube by joining this channel:
youtube.com/channel/UC2-SP1bYi3ueKlVU7I75wFw/join
🛠 Tools I use ➤ noelsretrolab.com/tools.html
Connect with Noel's Retro Lab:
Discord ➤ discord.gg/ETcCh6J
Facebook ➤ facebook.com/NoelsRetroLab
Twitter ➤ twitter.com/NoelsRetroLab
Instagram ➤ instagram.com/NoelsRetroLab
Mailing list ➤ noelsretrolab.com
#amstrad #tapedeck #retrocomputers


