5 ms·

The great thing is, a lot of those old computers still work. There is no reason not to boot them up and use them and enjoy the way they work. Disclaimer: 30+

The great thing is, a lot of those old computers still work. There is no reason not to boot them up and use them and enjoy the way they work. Disclaimer: 30+ machines in my retro- collection. I will have to dust off the Jupiter Ace and have some Forth sessions at the next 'one page of code' challenge ..

jandrese 6y ago
Another disclaimer: lots of old hardware doesn't work anymore. The electrolytic caps evaporated ages ago and the failure modes can sometimes be spectacular. Commodore 64 power supplies for example tended to fail in a way where they would dump high voltage over the line and fry the attached machine. Old chips can definitely go bad as well. However, many of the machines were simple enough that it's possible to diagnose and fix the problem with a bit of knowledge and some gumption.
- macintux 6y ago
  It seems like every time I read about radio repair, one of the very first things I see is "watch out for old capacitors." Electricity seems like one of those topics you really don't want to learn through experimentation with old hardware.
- gerdesj 6y ago
  My C-64 has a USB interface. It's the one my dad bought in 1984 or so. Imagine the scene: Me and my brother flew home to West Germany (Rheindahlen) from the UK (Army brats) for the Christmas hols. Dad proudly shows us the new computer and plugged the power into the video input. pop. About two months later we receive the repaired unit from NAAFI. Me and my brother went back to school for the spring term. Mum and Dad had not banked on the C64 as a main Chrimbo pressie for us and gave us other things. They clearly knew well ahead of time how IT will always screw up - they were clearly prescient types. We absolutely loved it. I wont bore you any more with reminisces but I still have it and it still works. Capacitors don't evaporate, they swell or blow if dodgy enough - long story, search it ("blown capacitors".)
  - ddingus 6y ago
    My Apple 2 also has a USB interface. I plan on recapping it soon.
- fit2rule 6y ago
  Of the 30+ machines in my collection, only a small handful have needed cap replacements. And, this is not such a big deal anyway - in fact its quite easy in most cases. Older computers have the advantage that they're quite a bit more accessible than the new stuff. Much rather have to replace a cap than de-glue a touchscreen display ..

jandrese 6y ago

Another disclaimer: lots of old hardware doesn't work anymore. The electrolytic caps evaporated ages ago and the failure modes can sometimes be spectacular. Commodore 64 power supplies for example tended to fail in a way where they would dump high voltage over the line and fry the attached machine. Old chips can definitely go bad as well. However, many of the machines were simple enough that it's possible to diagnose and fix the problem with a bit of knowledge and some gumption.

macintux 6y ago
It seems like every time I read about radio repair, one of the very first things I see is "watch out for old capacitors." Electricity seems like one of those topics you really don't want to learn through experimentation with old hardware.
gerdesj 6y ago
My C-64 has a USB interface. It's the one my dad bought in 1984 or so. Imagine the scene: Me and my brother flew home to West Germany (Rheindahlen) from the UK (Army brats) for the Christmas hols. Dad proudly shows us the new computer and plugged the power into the video input. pop. About two months later we receive the repaired unit from NAAFI. Me and my brother went back to school for the spring term. Mum and Dad had not banked on the C64 as a main Chrimbo pressie for us and gave us other things. They clearly knew well ahead of time how IT will always screw up - they were clearly prescient types. We absolutely loved it. I wont bore you any more with reminisces but I still have it and it still works. Capacitors don't evaporate, they swell or blow if dodgy enough - long story, search it ("blown capacitors".)
- ddingus 6y ago
  My Apple 2 also has a USB interface. I plan on recapping it soon.
fit2rule 6y ago
Of the 30+ machines in my collection, only a small handful have needed cap replacements. And, this is not such a big deal anyway - in fact its quite easy in most cases. Older computers have the advantage that they're quite a bit more accessible than the new stuff. Much rather have to replace a cap than de-glue a touchscreen display ..