Assembling and hopefully benchmarking my entry for Tech Ambrosias #CheapPCChallenge2023 BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2023-09-10 | @TechAmbr issued the #CheapPCChallenge2023:youtube.com/watch?v=4fcieZmhaWwLast year, I did a pretty good entry:youtube.com/watch?v=Kfm3QClATC8And wound up getting 3rd place:youtube.com/watch?v=OaVnfILfjz0This is my build list for this year:$20- IBM Server System x3650 M3$13- 2x Xeon X5670 CPUs$60- GTX1660superMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Trying to repair a battery-damaged 286 motherboard. I dont have much hope. BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-10-20 | Let's try to get this 286 system working. A few weeks ago, we tried this board and it was dead:youtube.com/live/F-72V5bC5P8?feature=shareThis was a system that we opened up previously checked out and found massive battery damage:youtube.com/live/i8zErBZRXS8?feature=shareMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.socialThreads: threads.net/@bigbadbiologist
Restoring the Farmer Tan LCIII Part III: fixing heat stakes, rebuild, overclock, floppy service BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-10-19 | I picked up an LCIII with interesting coloration. I'm going to be restoring this and giving it away to celebrate reaching 128 subscribers!Giveaway Rules:1. US residents only.2. No purchase necessary.3. Subscribe to the channel and comment on Part I of this series to be entered.4. Only one entry per person.5. Winner will be randomly selected on September 19, 2022 from everyone that has commented on this video.Part I:youtu.be/3UhYHGfwOXEPart II:youtu.be/CVJrZ7asr-kMy other videos featuring a Macintosh LCIIIExplaining the overclock button:youtu.be/OdKwft08U-AShowing how to overclock the LCIII (25MHz) to an LCIII+ (33MHz):youtu.be/qV3A92C_uY0Recapping the logic board:youtu.be/Y-V6eZ8ZxZk
Hacking an nVidia GTX980 into a mini tower DTX Hewlett Packard Ryzen system #CheapPCChallenge2024 BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-10-18 | It's time for my entry to @TechAmbr 's #CheapPCChallenge2024 contest:youtube.com/watch?v=kQiSehbTZYoI picked up a Ryzen 3200G system for $60 and an nVidia GTX980 for $40, but it doesn't quite fit. We'll have to make a little adjustment to the case to get this to work! This $100 beast should be a pretty awesome price to performance gaming system.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Upgrading an IBM Personal Computer 750 socket 5 computer with a Pentium Overdrive CPU and Voodoo 1 BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-10-13 | We worked on this this IBM Personal Computer 750 a couple times previously:youtube.com/watch?v=Sf1Nj_fSCZIyoutube.com/live/cn9Qb-Hvl_s?si=X3lVAn5EAtIL6gZCI got a Pentium 166MMX Overdrive CPU from @trinastechnobabble , let's see if it works / works in this computer!And a Pentium 166MMX should pair nicely with a 3DFX Voodoo 1, so let's try that out!Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Can I make the Adcom GFA-1A amp somewhat safe and whats wrong with a dead Integra RDC-7? BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-10-12 | A couple weeks ago we opened up this Adcom GFA-1A amplifier and found some... creative rewiring:youtube.com/live/N5OpjccioE0?feature=share Let's see if we can make it somewhat safe and try to power it up!Also, someone gave me this dead Integra RDC-7 AV Controller / receiver to work on. Let's see if we can figure out what's going on.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Comparing Power Computing Power Center Pro 210 / Power Center 150 (G3 upgrade!) & Apple Monitor III BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-10-06 | I picked up another Power Computing Macintosh clone... and this one has a Sonnet G3 upgrade! Let's compare the two ... and maybe transfer the G3 upgrade card to the nicer system?Also, I need to rebuild an Apple Monitor III and see if it works. I previously checked out this Power Computing Power Center Pro 210:youtube.com/live/Sf1Nj_fSCZI?si=_pB5GgVkwI0-filDCapacitor map for the Power Computing TCX-20D power supply:drive.google.com/file/d/1H64jmlvzC6AE4PtFmT5rvKc0sdPBhQCn/view?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Will a new CPU fix my Mac IIvx? And dead cheap ebay ultrasonic bath and Adcom GFA-1a repair attempts BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-09-29 | It's going to be a busy episode of the BigBadBench!First up, we'll see if a replacement 68030 from China will fix my battery-damaged Macintosh IIvx that we previously worked on (after 27 repaired traces, I was thinking the CPU was dead. when I desoldered it, 3 legs fell off):youtube.com/live/Lb4FKJoyTN4?si=gubFZbTrTYuKvIBTThen, my cheap eBay ultrasonic bath died. Can we figure out what went wrong?Finally, someone gave me a Adcom GFA-1A amplifier to work on. He sent me pictures of the inside, and it had a really bad repair attempt. Can we repair this mess?Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Trying to swap an Intel 386SX-16 for a Cyrix Cx486SLC2-50 processor BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-09-22 | Last weekend we opened up some computers and found some nastiness, one of which was a 386SX with a little bit of corrosion:youtube.com/live/i8zErBZRXS8?si=b5KaU6b_BEvEj3PZThis is the MICRO EXPRESS, INC. ME 386SX board on the Retro Web:theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/micro-express,-i-me-386sx-066-3.1-0889Yesterday, we found that the board works after a cleanup:youtube.com/live/F-72V5bC5P8?si=95-zgl4T03dmFyyjLet's see if we can unsolder the CPU from the previously battery-damaged (but cute) Cyrix Cx486SLC2-50 processor motherboard:youtube.com/live/KuopLmISa8o?si=kMOU-ns2FzCkvC2jand transfer it to the 386sx board.This is the PCCHIPS / Hsin Tech M396F v2.7 on the Retro Web:theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/pcchips-m396f-v2.7Benchmark links:docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10n3um3QclF7b8Jz3jJnA_zFF5Bq0kLrtK6fZlYXcokQ/edit?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Testing some battery- and rodent-damaged 286 and 386 motherboards. Oh, and a 3dfx Voodoo 5 5500! BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-09-21 | Last weekend we opened up some computers and found:-a 386SX with a little bit of corrosion-a 286 with massive amounts of battery damage-a 286 that had been used by a family of mice and their ancestorsI got the boards cleaned up this week, so let's see if they POST.I also picked up a 3dfx Voodoo 5 5500 this week, so let's see if that works!Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Starting work on a barn find 3̶8̶6̶ 286, 386, and IBM PS/2 Model 50 saved from an ewaste scrapper BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-09-15 | I got a 386 computer from someone a while ago. When I opened it up, it was so gross that I immediately closed it back up. But I think it's a 386SX system and I want to use it for an experiment with the Cyrix 486 that we looked at previously:youtube.com/live/KuopLmISa8o?si=qSDkjLtT0DnvJ3NBI also recently picked up an IBM PS/2 Model 50 from an ewaste scrapper. It was gross. I cleaned it up a little. Let's see if it POSTs.Also, I'll update the status of the Asus ISA-486S 486 motherboard that we looked at previously:Part I: youtube.com/live/Ea28liiuRKs?si=V_EldYstuT6CVfxPPart II: youtube.com/live/5oA-Her5k8U?si=odvr2LCQyRepFJN7And I got a couple packages to finish the C64C, one of which is from @GutBombTech !Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Finishing the restoration of the worlds nastiest Commodore 64C and fixing an Asus 486 motherboard BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-09-08 | A few weeks ago, we checked out the world's nastiest Commodore 64C. It left a puddle of rust on the BigBadBench and I had to wear gloves to touch it (probably my funniest stream ever):youtube.com/live/2amPlB8Is2M?si=_c3ya9ZlYJzC4R2cLet's finish its restoration! (almost- still waiting on a replacement case badge)Also, we recently checked out this Asus ISA-486S 486 motherboard, but it was acting kind of weird:youtube.com/live/Ea28liiuRKs?si=V_EldYstuT6CVfxPI think it is because it was missing its tag RAM chips. I got those in, so let's see if that fixes it.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Can we get this battery bombed Macintosh IIvx with ultra rare DayStar PowerPC upgrade card working? BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-09-01 | A few days ago, we were checking out this Macintosh IIvx and found really awful battery damage (it might have been my most entertaining stream ever):youtube.com/live/2amPlB8Is2M?si=E3Xoi7GUgKmrp_PyI've gotten the board ultrasonically cleaned. It needs a recap and probably some trace repairs.The important thing is the DayStar PowerPC (PPC) upgrade card that was a very awesome surprise inside the computer. Will it work?We'll also check out the Commodore 64c (C64c) board that was also encased in rust and has also been cleaned up.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
There are probably bad things hiding in this Commodore 64c and Macintosh IIvx. Laugh at my sorrow! BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-08-28 | I just bought a Macintosh IIvx to add to my collection, but when I got there, I saw a spot on the bottom that made my heart sink. Let's see how bad it really is.I also picked up this Commodore 64C a while ago and I just realized it rattles and loses rust when I move it. Let's see how bad it really is on the inside.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Can we recover these ewaste mangled 486 DX4 and overdrive CPUs and revive two dead 486 motherboards? BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-08-25 | Let's try to fix two 486 motherboards and straighten some pins on a 486 DX4 100MHz CPU and a Intel Overdrive CPU.These boards and CPUs are from the awesome lot of ewaste that I bought:youtube.com/live/jPzA5znPha4?si=V83z4-MJ979BMI92From that lot, we previously fixed a cute little 486 baby AT motherboard with an integrated 40MHz 486SLC CPU that was damaged by a leaky battery:youtube.com/live/KuopLmISa8o?si=0eruMBQ-kexHGMrQMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Repairing a Varta-damaged 486 motherboard and recapping a more-interesting-than-I-thought 370 board BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-08-11 | A few days ago, I went over this really awesome lot of ewaste that I bought:youtube.com/live/jPzA5znPha4?si=V83z4-MJ979BMI92There was a cute little 486 baby AT motherboard with an integrated 40MHz 486SLC CPU, but it was damaged by a leaky battery. Let's see if we can fix it.Also, there was a DFI socket 370 Via chipset motherboard with obscenely leaky caps. Let's get those replaced and see if the board POSTs. It turns out that the board is more interesting than I thought.Link to the board on TheRetroWeb: theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/dfi-ca64-tcMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Doing a power supply recap and case swap on a Macintosh IIsi BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-08-08 | One of my Mac IIsi systems has kind of an ugly case, so I'm going to swap it into one from one of my battery bombed cases that I've retrobrighted.One of the battery bombed IIsi systems that I have purchased:youtube.com/live/KY2XB4wPyfo?si=WI9S9YsUaSp2M9z7I'll also do a power supply recap for one of the vintage computing community. As we know, IIsi power supplies are some of the nastiest around.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Did I pay too much for this $150 pile of ewaste? Potentially great vintage PC gaming hardware! BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-08-07 | A guy posted some "Misc computer parts" on FB marketplace. It was just bins of junk, but I saw an ABit NF7-S, so I knew I at least wanted to check out what he had. I told him that I would probably be able to give him like $5-10 each for some of the boards he had. When I got there and heard why they were selling and saw a few other things, I just gave him $150 for the bin. I actually don't know everything I got, so let's see and maybe test some stuff out.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Will I get the floppy drives working in the IBM PS/2 Model 80? BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-08-04 | Knowing that the capacitors in my IBM PS/2 Model 80 were likely digesting my floppy drive from the inside-out, I 've really wanted to work on this system. So I started working on it last week, but didn't have the right caps:youtube.com/live/Ee6tiCnQDZo?si=gu_BjgYyGHHx1jLHNow that I have the right caps, let's get it recapped, rebuilt, and tested. And hopefully we can rebuild the potting shed 5.25" drive.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Finally working on the floppy drive on my IBM PS/2 Model 80! Also potting shed external floppy! BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-07-28 | Knowing that the capacitors in my IBM PS/2 Model 80 were likely digesting my floppy drive from the inside-out, I 've really wanted to work on this system. So it's finally time.Also, someone recently found me an external 5.25" floppy drive in a potting shed, so let's see if that works. Unfortunately we didn’t get anything repaired today. Just a lot of disassembly.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
How to rebuild a Macintosh Classic II, how mount BlueSCSIs in compact Macs, and nasty IIsi PSU BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-07-25 | The retrobrighting is done (and looks beautiful), so let's finally finish rebuilding this Mac Classic II! I featured this computer recently on multiple streams.As a bonus, I'll check out maybe the world's worst IIsi power supply.Recapping the logic board:youtube.com/live/2Axn3BZSODc?feature=shareThe initial triage of the system:youtube.com/live/uVlMmGCxeI4?si=RZ6sTGPx6XUvJMnQI made a resource / map for recapping the North American 120v Mac Classic II analog board (asterisks are low ESR):drive.google.com/file/d/1UfLTZlWfMpAezUHm71mNOb1JwwqiDptB/view?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Macintosh Classic II logic board recap and tearing down two Sega Game Gears BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-07-21 | Last week, I started working on a Macintosh Classic II that @GutBombTech picked up for me:youtube.com/live/uVlMmGCxeI4?si=RZ6sTGPx6XUvJMnQIt was gross, but seemed like the caps weren't too bad on the logic board. Let's recap the logic board and see if this thing works. We'll have to wait until next week to finish the restoration because the retrobrighting isn't done.I made a resource / map for recapping the North American 120v Mac Classic II analog board:drive.google.com/file/d/1UfLTZlWfMpAezUHm71mNOb1JwwqiDptB/view?usp=sharingAlso, we're going to pop open two Sega Game Gears to start working on them. I've never worked on these before, so it should be fun!Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Starting the restoration of a Mac Classic II, some SE/30 upgrades, and diagnosing a cursed reloaded BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-07-14 | @GutBombTech picked me up this Macintosh Classic II. I love 68030 compact Macs, so let's explore this thing and see how bad its capacitors are. They are almost guaranteed to be leaky, but how bad is the damage?I previously worked on this SE/30 reloaded board that had a bunch of issues:youtube.com/live/dziZbLmWOAQ?si=KXZiDzwiIVBqH0CeI eventually got it working, but apparently it has more issues. Let's see if we can get it going. I also picked up 64mb of RAM for my SE/30 and one of new Garrett's Workshop ROMs, so let's get them running!garrettsworkshop.github.io/MacIIROMSIMM/Documentation/GW4402BManual.pdfI made a resource / map for recapping the North American 120v Mac Classic II analog board (asterisk means low ESR):drive.google.com/file/d/1UfLTZlWfMpAezUHm71mNOb1JwwqiDptB/view?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Rebuilding a Power Macintosh Performa 6214CD and Power Computing Power Center Pro 210 BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-06-30 | I need sort of an easy stream to ease myself back, so let's reassemble a couple systems that I've disassembled and retrobrighted.Towards the end of the stream a couple weeks ago, we looked at this (previously gross) Power Macintosh 6214CD:youtube.com/live/21VyY6gKToo?si=nVABrOtD4EfuCmg3I didn't notice that it had a really weird 3" PCMIDE interface Western Digital PhD1400 hard drive in it.I previously recapped one of these power supplies:youtube.com/live/A4TQklM7l2I?si=BHRscKSc0arLv9yuI made a capacitor map for the 62xx power supply:drive.google.com/file/d/1Li8MANEAJNgltUmVLF6rxVYEwqMpv_z9/view?usp=sharingI previously checked out this Power Computing Power Center Pro 210:youtube.com/live/Sf1Nj_fSCZI?si=_pB5GgVkwI0-filDCapacitor map for the Power Computing TCX-20D power supply:drive.google.com/file/d/1H64jmlvzC6AE4PtFmT5rvKc0sdPBhQCn/view?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Fixing the Power Macintosh 7100 video card for #gpujune4 and checking out a nasty Power Mac 6214CD BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-06-15 | I previously got the really gross Power Mac 7100 up and running, but the video card showed some corruption:youtube.com/live/ODWbpBe5jr8?si=WIgYsS4d-K79Iq8QI noticed the caps are pretty nasty on the video card (also known as the VRAM expansion card) so let's see if a recap fixes it. It is #gpujune / #gpujune4 after all.#GPUJune4 was initiated by The Major Techie who also created the awesome logo!youtube.com/@TheMajorTechieWe'll also take a look at a Power Macintosh 6214CD that is really gross and sad. We'll see what horrors wait inside this mess.I had previously checked out the logic board from this extremely nasty Power Macintosh 7100 from @GutBombTech .youtube.com/live/IoIwy_EmofU?si=omrnVvAtNwQnyne4The power supply for the Power Mac 7100 is an Astec AA16870. I made a capacitor map for it here:drive.google.com/file/d/13tkVs3AlH5-__SgJDst3FdwGL9_k0-T6/view?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Will replacing a chip get our Mac Quadra 610 to 40MHz? And finishing Tech Ambrosias Centris 610! BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-06-09 | I previously attempted to get my Quadra 610 running at 40MHz. What I didn't realize is that the 68040 has parts of it that run at twice the processor speed. I think I found out that the clock generator chip might be the issue because it needs to generate 80MHz. The normal clock generator in the Quadra 610 is verified for 50MHz, so I'm replacing it with one that should do 80MHz.My previous attempt:youtube.com/live/AOq-TJuGCw8?si=8z0V49ouAU_49BGZAlso, we'll finally finish Tech Ambrosia's Centris 610 by giving the ethernet chip its own clock and doing some mods on her board to facilitate her own overclocking adventures! Info about fixing the ethernet:http://www.applefool.com/clockchipping/c610.htmlMy previous adventures with Tech Ambrosia's Centris 610:youtube.com/shorts/1ymlu6STphE?si=i-x-nI9Le0uLqhLsyoutube.com/shorts/UpuBuVQhuww?si=nQEPXBdsPzE-oskEyoutube.com/live/HeYoRvEyQn8?feature=shareyoutube.com/live/Ox59SQe73qY?feature=shareI've worked on Pizza Box Macintoshes like this previously:youtube.com/live/uafvfbf8ILs?si=-ISjt0_3cjmjBLg_youtube.com/live/6TpmHeXERXk?si=ve_TPdQEdXztOOpoCapacitor diagrams for pizza box PSUs:drive.google.com/file/d/1RErXP-Spsw048tGdoElnug-ifZuM1BET/view?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Will a recap repair this totally baked Power Macintosh 7100 power supply? BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-05-26 | I previously checked out the logic board from this extremely nasty Power Macintosh 7100 from @GutBombTech .youtube.com/live/IoIwy_EmofU?si=omrnVvAtNwQnyne4It appeared that the fan in the power supply had died causing it to bake itself. I've ultrasonically cleaned it and it still looks awful. Will a recap cure what ails it?The power supply is an Astec AA16870. I made a capacitor map for it here:drive.google.com/file/d/13tkVs3AlH5-__SgJDst3FdwGL9_k0-T6/view?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Repair of a NAD T743 receiver that had cracked solder joints. BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-05-23 | A few weeks ago I featured this NAD T 743 on a stream:youtube.com/live/37Et5Ee-Oqk?si=yl1-iDA5L3Owx2K0 It supposedly had a bad headphone port. It did, and I replaced that; but I also found that one of the audio channels was inconsistent. Turns out it was cracked solder joints.
Did I finally repair Tech Ambrosia’s Centris 610? #vintagemacintosh #itfreakinchimed BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-05-20 | @TechAmbr 's Macintosh Centris 610 has been quite the journey. This thing had about 10 bad vias and 6 bad traces. Fixing them is a pain since the vias are so tiny, but finding the bad ones is even harder! But after a lot of probing, I think I finally have it repaired! We get chime (without death chime) and video initializes!
Can we get a Mac Quadra 610 from 25MHz to 40MHz? BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-05-18 | Let's take a little break from working on Tech Ambrosia's Centris 610 to work on my Quadra 610. This should be a fairly easy upgrade to get the system running with a 33MHz CPU and then we'll try overclocking it to 40MHz.We will probably need to do this mod to make the serial ports work properly:http://www.applefool.com/clockchipping/c650.htmlMy adventures with Tech Ambrosia's Centris 610:youtube.com/live/HeYoRvEyQn8?feature=shareyoutube.com/live/Ox59SQe73qY?feature=shareI've worked on Pizza Box Macintoshes like this previously:youtube.com/live/uafvfbf8ILs?si=-ISjt0_3cjmjBLg_youtube.com/live/6TpmHeXERXk?si=ve_TPdQEdXztOOpoCapacitor diagrams for pizza box PSUs:drive.google.com/file/d/1RErXP-Spsw048tGdoElnug-ifZuM1BET/view?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Did Tech Ambrosias Centris 610 not chime because I plugged the speaker into the LED connector? BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-05-17 | Last weekend, we recapped the logic board and power supply of @TechAmbr 's Centris 610. The power supply worked good, but the logic board seemed dead.One of the comments pointed out that I plugged the speaker into the LED connector. Was that the only problem? Probably not. I found broken traces too. Previous history of the machine:@TechAmbr tried to get this Macintosh Centris 610 system up and running previously:youtube.com/live/mcCe_yCSas8?si=GApYL0HDbOqcnh8FBut she could use a little help, so let's see if recapping gets it running, but the power supplies can be a bit of a mess.I've worked on Pizza Box Macintoshes like this previously:youtube.com/live/uafvfbf8ILs?si=-ISjt0_3cjmjBLg_youtube.com/live/6TpmHeXERXk?si=ve_TPdQEdXztOOpoCapacitor diagrams for pizza box PSUs:drive.google.com/file/d/1RErXP-Spsw048tGdoElnug-ifZuM1BET/view?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
The Macintosh Centris 610 board (death) chimes! #vintagemacintosh #vintagecomputing BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-05-16 | Tech Ambrosia's Macintosh Centris 610 has some major issues and was very much dead. I've worked on it for the last two live streams:youtube.com/live/HeYoRvEyQn8?si=y1LzTSG47ylmL5aJyoutube.com/live/Ox59SQe73qY?si=k5WCDqpgfyy2cPiNThe cap juice ate several traces and vias. Getting it to do anything is a major accomplishment.
Can we repair Tech Ambrosias Centris 610? (recapping the logic board, power supply, and CD ROM) BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-05-12 | @TechAmbr tried to get this Macintosh Centris 610 system up and running previously:youtube.com/live/mcCe_yCSas8?si=GApYL0HDbOqcnh8FBut she could use a little help, so let's see if recapping gets it running, but the power supplies can be a bit of a mess.I've worked on Pizza Box Macintoshes like this previously:youtube.com/live/uafvfbf8ILs?si=-ISjt0_3cjmjBLg_youtube.com/live/6TpmHeXERXk?si=ve_TPdQEdXztOOpoCapacitor diagrams for pizza box PSUs:drive.google.com/file/d/1RErXP-Spsw048tGdoElnug-ifZuM1BET/view?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Rebuilding a restored Mac Plus, overclocking it, and giving it away! BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-05-05 | I showed off this nasty Macintosh Plus a couple weeks ago.It was pretty gross. It had sand in it. I've cleaned it up, retrobrighted it. Now, let's get it reassembled. I also want to attempt to see if we can get its 68000 CPU running at 16MHz.And I hit 1024 subscribers, so we're going to give this Mac Plus away!Giveaway Rules:1. Comment on this video to be entered (and hit a like up there if possible).2. No purchase necessary.3. Open only to countries where giveaways are allowed and that I can currently ship.4. Only one entry per person.5. Winner will be randomly selected on June 1, 2024 from everyone that has commented on this video. 6. If you are outside of the United States of America, I will pay up to $50 towards shipping, but you will need to pay the remainder (this could get expensive!). Additionally, If there are any custom fees, duties, import fees, etc. that I do not pay in advance, the winner is responsible for these fees.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Unboxing and testing a few IBM ThinkPad 760 laptops and starting to work on an audio receiver BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-05-04 | Aside from compact Macintoshes, I have a weakness for IBM ThinkPads... particularly the 760 series which was an awesomely modular and upgradable series. I came across some really great eBay deals lately. Maybe. Let's see what these really look like now that I've gotten them in.Also, someone gave me a NAD audio receiver to repair, so let's see what's up with that.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Finishing the restoration of an Apple IIplus for #AprilApples & checking out a Power Macintosh 7100 BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-04-28 | Last week, we disassembled a really gross Apple II plus ( Apple ][+ ):youtube.com/live/LVS05Y-dGaQ?si=Fu_fmcsAA4iHM0X5I've cleaned it up this week, so let's reassemble it and see if it still works. Also, we need to get the Rifa out of that power supply.Also, I got an extremely nasty Power Macintosh 7100 from @GutBombTech . I cleaned up the logic board this week, but the PSU is still a mess. There will be nasty pictures of this thing and more nastiness as we dig into the power supply... which looks really similar to a Macintosh IIci power supply... which has 6 Rifas. The power supply wound up being an Astec AA16870. I made a capacitor map for it here:drive.google.com/file/d/13tkVs3AlH5-__SgJDst3FdwGL9_k0-T6/view?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
My Single Board 486 hates the PicoGUS. Is it because my soldering is bad? Also Apple IIplus resto! BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-04-21 | The PicoGUS hates my 486 single board computer. Is it because of my hand-soldered external ISA bus? Let's try a real backplane and see if that fixes it.I'm also going to start the restoration of an Apple II plus because it's #aprilapples (previously known as #appril2)!We also had time to check out a Macintosh Plus and Mac Classic. They were great examples of why you should never just power up a compact Mac.And I reviewed some of my experiences from VCF East. During part II of working on my single board 486 with a case out of a single barn board, we assembled the case a bit and cut some glass. The glass cutting was a lot of fun!youtube.com/live/fm9wRjKsqiY?si=kIGiz3JaUjwYB0HxCheck out Part I here where we did a bunch of soldering and did a little testing:youtube.com/live/v0tXhGYf7Jg?feature=shareEveryone knows @LGR 's woodgrain 486 PC. It's basically at the center of the retro computing universe! Well, it's time to make an actual wood 486. I picked up this 486 single board computer a while ago and have been figuring out what to do with it. I found out a while ago, that you don't need a backplane to boot it:youtube.com/shorts/QbQlJmWT4Yo?si=iwoKHemkCmYwk3LGBut I really want to add a sound card so this can be a viable retro gaming computer. So we're going to need to wire up some ISA connectors and see if we can make a sound card work!This is the SBC:theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/protech-pc-410Some of my 486 benchmarking data:docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10n3um3QclF7b8Jz3jJnA_zFF5Bq0kLrtK6fZlYXcokQ/edit?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
This is my first time exhibiting at #VCFEast. I couldn’t fit as much as I wanted #vintagecomputing BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-04-13 | ...
486 Singe Board Computer with case made from a single barn board & external ISA wiring #retrogaming BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-04-07 | This was the single board 486 computer that we worked on during a couple streams. One a few moths ago:youtube.com/live/v0tXhGYf7Jg?si=zJ5fecwsfCGF2Izvand yesterday I learned how to cut glass on stream:youtube.com/live/fm9wRjKsqiY?si=fhq4GXcSxY4HV5rMThe idea was to use a single board computer (SBC) and make a case for it out of a single barn board. Oh yeah, and we did some silly custom ISA wiring so that we could have a sound card.Specifications:Kingston TurboChip AMD 5x86 133MHz32mb EDO RAMProtech PC-410 486/5x86 single board computer512meg CF driveMean Well RQ-50BMusic playing: Starshine by Purple Motionmodarchive.org/index.php?request=view_by_moduleid&query=60693
Building a 486 Single Board Computer with a single board (wood 486) Part II BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-04-07 | This is part II of my single board 486 with a case out of a single barn board.Check out Part I here where we did a bunch of soldering and did a little testing:youtube.com/live/v0tXhGYf7Jg?feature=shareEveryone knows @LGR 's woodgrain 486 PC. It's basically at the center of the retro computing universe! Well, it's time to make an actual wood 486. I picked up this 486 single board computer a while ago and have been figuring out what to do with it. I found out a while ago, that you don't need a backplane to boot it:youtube.com/shorts/QbQlJmWT4Yo?si=iwoKHemkCmYwk3LGBut I really want to add a sound card so this can be a viable retro gaming computer. So we're going to need to wire up some ISA connectors and see if we can make a sound card work!This is the SBC:theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/protech-pc-410Some of my 486 benchmarking data:docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10n3um3QclF7b8Jz3jJnA_zFF5Bq0kLrtK6fZlYXcokQ/edit?usp=sharingMastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Updating status of the SE/30 Reloaded board, Rebuilding a Mac Plus, and checking out a Mac 512k BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-04-05 | Last weekend's stream was a nightmare. The Macintosh SE/30 reloaded board was not working at the end of the stream: youtube.com/live/dziZbLmWOAQ?feature=shareBut I've made some progress! So I'll do some updates.I also have been working on restoring a converted 128k/512k Mac Plus that I need to put back together, so let's do that.And I picked up a Mac 512k last weekend that I really want to open up and check out the insides before we power it up.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
#MARCHintosh Why is this Macintosh SE/30 Reloaded board not working? #marchintosh2024 BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-03-31 | #MARCHintosh2024This Macintosh SE/30 Reloaded board was given to me by @GutBombTech because he couldn't figure out why it wasn't working (it was only giving simasimac). It was part of a group buy organized by @ThisDoesNotCompute . It turns out that the PCB manufacturer might have put the wrong components on the logic board as discovered by @THEtechknight : youtu.be/J4LZcV3gaH4?si=chpmqw2sWRIvpRM1I fought with it a bit a few moths ago and might have broken it more, so I put it away. Let's get it back out and see if I can get it working!Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
My tank froze and got snowed on. Maybe it’s not a great idea to retrobright in #marchintosh BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-03-27 | A couple weeks ago, I mentioned how #marchintosh2024 is a great time to start retrobrighting in New England. I was wrong. We had a late season storm and cold snap. My retro brighting tank got snowed on and froze! Hopefully my Macintosh Plus case and Commodore 64 (c64) keys are ok!
#MARCHintosh Powerbook 540C power supply recap and working on an Apple M1212 Trinitron CRT BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-03-24 | #MARCHintosh2024We're only working on high voltage stuff today!I got this Powerbook 540C from @iiidiy , but it has a bad power supply. Let's see if it just needs a recap.I also have an Apple m1212 Trinitron CRT that is basically dead. I've been wanting to work on it, so I'll use #marchintosh as an excuse to electrocute myself. Have I mentioned that I hate working on CRTs?Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Can we repair this dead DeWalt DCS380 sawzall (variable speed reciprocating saw) BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-03-22 | While hacking at vines yesterday, my trusty DeWalt DCS380 died. Can we fix it or at least find out what's wrong with it?The official description for this item is a variable speed reciprocating saw, but most people refer to them as sawzalls.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
#MARCHintosh Rebuilding the restored Macintosh Classic II (and maybe Plus clock mods?) BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-03-17 | Let's finally get this restored Mac Classic II put back together! (Including a quick service odyssey the 1.44mb Sony floppy drive)#MARCHintosh2024Two weeks ago (against my better judgement), we powered up a Mac Classic II without opening it first. It booted, we opened it up, found nastiness, cleaned it a little, recapped it, and .... it stopped booting. youtube.com/live/AOSlA3h9jco?si=UpIOEXvzg32gAdIeWe got it booting last week after the ultrasonic bath and recapping the analog board:youtube.com/live/Ar321kBpINo?feature=shareI made a resource / map for recapping the North American 120v Mac Classic II analog board (asterisk means low ESR):drive.google.com/file/d/1UfLTZlWfMpAezUHm71mNOb1JwwqiDptB/view?usp=sharingWe also played with changing the crystal oscillator in a Macintosh Plus and found that it could boot with a 17.5MHz crystal (up from the original 15.6672MHz).Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
#MARCHintosh Unboxing a battery damaged Macintosh IIsi #MARCHintosh2024 BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-03-16 | I paid ~$65 for a battery-damaged Macintosh IIsi, a model also known for awful capacitor leakage from the power supply (the thumbnail image is from the eBay listing). It just arrived so let's see how bad it really is with our own eyes.What made me buy this is that it has what looks to be a dual slot PDS riser and some unidentified card. I'm really curious to know what's in there.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
#MARCHintosh Finishing recapping the Mac Classic II / Adding a 68010 to a Mac Plus #MARCHintosh2024 BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-03-10 | Last week (against my better judgement), we powered up a Mac Classic II without opening it first. It booted, we opened it up, found nastiness, cleaned it a little, recapped it, and .... it stopped booting. youtube.com/live/AOSlA3h9jco?si=UpIOEXvzg32gAdIeCan we get it booting this week?We'll recap the analog board. I made a resource / map for recapping the North American 120v Mac Classic II analog board:drive.google.com/file/d/1P7biqNTMVu2Q7zKRoCdtMt3jPhTlGATk/view?usp=sharingWe also will unsolder the original 68000 CPU from a Macintosh Plus, install a socket, and try a 68010 processor in it. This might be the foundation of future shenanigans...Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
#MARCHintosh is the beginning of #RetroBrighting season! BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-03-08 | I've been waiting all winter to get back started retrobrighting some Vintage Macintoshes. I'm going to get started with a very yellow Mac Plus and a half yellow Classic II. Tune in in a few days to see the results.
#MARCHintosh Why recap a working Macintosh Classic II? #MARCHintosh2024 BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-03-03 | I just picked up this Macintosh Classic II that was sold as:"Powers on and boots into Mac OS. Very clean on the inside. Was told the batteries on the circuit board can explode so I removed it. Minimal corrosion. I don’t have the mouse or keyboard so I can’t see if there’s anything interesting on the hard drive" Yeah. To start #MARCHintosh let's review why you should ALWAYS recap a Macintosh Classic or Classic II.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
Restoring / Rebuilding / Upgrading an IBM Personal Computer 750 Pentium 90 socket 5 computer BigBadBiologists BigBadBench 2024-02-25 | Last week, we took a quick look at this IBM Personal Computer 750 towards the end of the stream:youtube.com/watch?v=Sf1Nj_fSCZIIt was pretty gross and didn't seem to want to POST. I've disassembled it and cleaned it up, so let's rebuild it and test it out. Hopefully we can do some benchmarking and see how far we can upgrade this thing.Mastodon: @bigbadbiologist@bitbang.social
