Bell and Howell (Apple II+) Restoration
The 8-Bit Guy・2 minutes read
The Bell & Howell Apple II plus for the education market was restored by fixing the motherboard, keyboard, and case with modifications like resin molds and spray paint for touch-ups, resulting in a fully functional computer ready for use. Some keys were scratched during the process, but overall, the restoration was successful, including adding a language card and a floppy drive emulator, with the option to paint the floppy drives to match the computer.
Insights
- The Bell & Howell, initially an Apple II Plus for educational purposes, underwent extensive repairs and modifications, including fixing a faulty chip, soldering the video jack for better grounding, and cleaning the keyboard for optimal functionality.
- Despite encountering challenges such as imperfect color matching and scratched keys during the repair process, the computer was successfully restored to full functionality by replacing components, cleaning, and reassembling, resulting in a fully operational system with additional enhancements like a language card and floppy drive emulator.
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Recent questions
How was the Bell & Howell Apple II repaired?
The Bell & Howell Apple II was repaired by removing a hideous modification with a fan, cleaning the case with alcohol, making a mold of the case texture at Maker Faire in Orlando, pouring resin into the mold to repair the case, using spray paint for touch-ups, replacing a faulty 74LS257 chip on the motherboard, fixing the video jack by soldering it for better grounding, cleaning the keyboard, painting the case with flat black paint, straightening the keyboard, cleaning the keys, reassembling the case, and removing bumps on the F and J keys for touch typing using WD-40.
What modifications were made to the Bell & Howell Apple II?
The Bell & Howell Apple II had a hideous modification with a fan that was removed, and the case was cleaned with alcohol. A mold of the case texture was made at Maker Faire in Orlando, resin was poured into the mold to repair the case, and spray paint was used for touch-ups. The motherboard had a faulty 74LS257 chip, which was replaced, and the video jack was fixed by soldering it for better grounding.
What issues were found with the Bell & Howell Apple II?
The Bell & Howell Apple II had a hideous modification with a fan, a faulty 74LS257 chip on the motherboard, and a video jack that needed fixing by soldering it for better grounding. Additionally, the keyboard had bumps on the F and J keys for touch typing, which were removed using WD-40.
How was the keyboard of the Bell & Howell Apple II cleaned?
The keyboard of the Bell & Howell Apple II was cleaned by straightening it, cleaning the keys, and removing bumps on the F and J keys for touch typing using WD-40. The keys were then reassembled, resulting in a fully functional computer ready for use.
What final touches were made to the Bell & Howell Apple II?
After cleaning and reassembling the keys, the Bell & Howell Apple II was put back together, including adding a language card and a floppy drive emulator. The computer was fully functional and ready for use, with the possibility of painting the floppy drives to match the computer's color.
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Summary
00:00
Restoring Bell & Howell Apple II Plus
- The Bell & Howell is an Apple II plus rebranded for the education market.
- The machine was donated 13 months ago and had a hideous modification with a fan.
- The fan was removed, and the case cleaned with alcohol.
- A mold of the case texture was made at Maker Faire in Orlando.
- Resin was poured into the mold to repair the case.
- The color match was not perfect, so spray paint was used for touch-ups.
- The motherboard had a faulty 74LS257 chip, which was replaced.
- The video jack was fixed by soldering it for better grounding.
- The keyboard was cleaned, and the case was painted with flat black paint.
- The keyboard was straightened, keys were cleaned, and the case was reassembled.
12:42
Restoring Apple II Computer for Modern Use
- The keyboard of the Apple II computer had bumps on the F and J keys for touch typing, which were removed using WD-40 to loosen the adhesive and epoxy, although some keys got scratched in the process.
- After cleaning and reassembling the keys, the computer was put back together, including adding a language card and a floppy drive emulator, resulting in a fully functional computer ready for use, with the possibility of painting the floppy drives to match the computer's color.
