BBC Master 128: The evolved 8-bit computer from Acorn @adriansdigitalbasement
BBC Master 128: The evolved 8-bit computer from Acorn  @adriansdigitalbasement
Uploaded May 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In the basement today we have quite a rare machine (for North America:) The BBC Master 128. It's an evolution of the original Acorn BBC Micro from 1981. My first task is to service the PSU and convert it to 120v, then see if this machine is working.

Part 1: This part!
Part 2: youtu.be/jSvSkaxkZDQ
Part 3: youtu.be/2Sgleturods

0:00 Intro
21:10 PSU service, conversion to 120V
41:38 First power up of the computer

--- Video Links

My old video showing off the two BBC Micro machines I brought back from the UK:
youtube.com/watch?v=KnkHdvjtBmA

BBC Micro PSU repair and 120v conversion:
youtube.com/watch?v=b6bfYwexlAs&t=1173s

BBC Master:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Master

65C12 datasheet:
archive.6502.org/datasheets/cmd_g65scxxx_mpu_family.pdf

Performing a CMOS reset on the BBC Master:
lionels.orpheusweb.co.uk/CompNyb/TechStuff/8-Bit/Master128/128BatConfig.html

Adrian's Digital Basement Merch store:
my-store-c82bd2-2.creator-spring.com

Adrian's Digital Basement ][ (Second Channel)
youtube.com/channel/UCbtwi4wK1YXd9AyV_4UcE6g

Support the channel on Patreon:
patreon.com/adriansdigitalbasement

-- Tools

Deoxit D5:
amzn.to/2VvOKy1
store.caig.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1602/.f

O-Ring Pick Set: (I use these to lift chips off boards)
amzn.to/3a9x54J

Elenco Electronics LP-560 Logic Probe:
amzn.to/2VrT5lW

Hakko FR301 Desoldering Iron:
amzn.to/2ye6xC0

Rigol DS1054Z Four Channel Oscilloscope:
rigolna.com/products/digital-oscilloscopes/1000z

Head Worn Magnifying Goggles / Dual Lens Flip-In Head Magnifier:
amzn.to/3adRbuy

TL866II Plus Chip Tester and EPROM programmer: (The MiniPro)
amzn.to/2wG4tlP
aliexpress.com/item/33000308958.html

TS100 Soldering Iron:
amzn.to/2K36dJ5
ebay.com/itm/TS100-65W-MINI-Digital-OLED-Programmable-Soldering-Iron-Anti-static-Structure/113382669853

EEVBlog 121GW Multimeter:
eevblog.com/product/121gw

DSLogic Basic Logic Analyzer:
amzn.to/2RDSDQw
ebay.com/itm/USB-Logic-DSLogic-Basic-Analyzer-16Ch-100MHz-4Ch-400MHz-Xilinx-Spartan-6-FPGA/202543965672

Magnetic Screw Holder:
amzn.to/3b8LOhG
harborfreight.com/4-inch-magnetic-parts-tray-90566.html

Universal ZIP sockets: (clones, used on my ZIF-64 test machine)
ebay.com/itm/14-16-18-20-24-28-32-40-pin-IC-Test-Universal-ZIF-Socket-Fs/303206721971

RetroTink 2X Upconverter: (to hook up something like a C64 to HDMI)
retrotink.com

Plato (Clone) Side Cutters: (order five)
ebay.com/itm/1-2-5-10PCS-Micro-Scissor-125mm-PLATO-170-Electronics-Cutter-Side-Cutting-Pliers/163458746184

Heat Sinks:
aliexpress.com/item/32537183709.html

Little squeezy bottles: (available elsewhere too)
amzn.to/3b8LOOI

--- Links

My GitHub repository:
github.com/misterblack1?tab=repositories

Commodore Computer Club / Vancouver, WA – Portland, OR – PDX Commodore Users Group
commodorecomputerclub.com

--- Instructional videos

My video on damage-free chip removal:
youtube.com/watch?v=XQVjwPsVFd8

--- Music

Intro music and other tracks by:
Nathan Divino
@itsnathandivino
BBC Master 128: The evolved 8-bit computer from AcornThis Apple IIgs repair got really weirdI finally fixed the Laser 200 (plus gave it a 32K RAM upgrade)I replaced the main board of this TV with brand new parts made in 2023!PC Archeology: Sperry PC XT clone aka Sperry Personal Computer 3070-02I figured out exactly whats wrong with my Toshiba CRT TV (20AF41)Apple Lisa Part 8: Fixing the display circuitryThe previous owner couldnt fix this C64: Can I?Atari 800 keyboard fix (Mitsumi membrane)The NEC APC runs MS-DOS from 8 disksTroubleshooting a bad Apple IIc floppy driveFixing a trash-picked CRT Television
Adrians Digital Basement |

BBC Master 128: The evolved 8-bit computer from Acorn

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