IBM PCjr Repair and Restoration

The 8-Bit Guy2 minutes read

The 8-Bit Guy is restoring the IBM PC jr donated by Sean Hafeez, fixing issues in the monitor and keyboard with repairs, cleaning, and maintenance, resulting in a successful restoration project and an upcoming documentary on the PC Junior.

Insights

  • The IBM PC jr restoration project undertaken by The 8-Bit Guy, donated by Sean Hafeez, faced challenges with a malfunctioning monitor and a yellowed, dirty keyboard missing a silver badge.
  • Through meticulous cleaning, repair, and creative solutions like bridging a cracked board with soldered paperclip, the monitor and keyboard were successfully restored, showcasing the importance of attention to detail and problem-solving skills in retro tech restoration projects.

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Recent questions

  • How was the IBM PC jr restored?

    Through cleaning, repair, and replacement of components.

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Summary

00:00

Restoring IBM PC jr: Monitor and Keyboard

  • The IBM PC jr is being restored by The 8-Bit Guy, donated by Sean Hafeez, with issues in the monitor and keyboard.
  • The keyboard is yellowed and dirty, with a missing silver badge, while the monitor doesn't work despite initial functionality.
  • Attempting to fix the monitor, it was discovered that hitting it could briefly turn it on, but the picture was unstable.
  • The keyboard was cleaned using baking soda and water paste, with keys removed for thorough cleaning.
  • The keyboard's exterior was cleaned, and retrobrite treatment was considered for the yellowed keys.
  • The keyboard's interior color matched the exterior, indicating original color, with keys cleaned and reassembled.
  • The monitor's issue was diagnosed as a problem with the flyback transformer, leading to disassembly and repair.
  • A crack in the monitor's board was identified and repaired by bridging with soldered paperclip.
  • After reassembly, the monitor was successfully fixed, with high voltage restored and continuity confirmed.
  • The keyboard, after cleaning and reassembly, showed no color difference, with a replacement badge created using a label maker.

12:17

Restoration of PC Junior with DIY upgrades

  • Labels were created using a label maker and aluminum tape, with the final badge being thinner than the original but still presentable.
  • Rubber feet were purchased from a hardware store, with the need to cut them down to size to fit the keyboard properly.
  • Computer maintenance involved cleaning scuffs and dirt, disk drive maintenance with alcohol and lithium grease, resulting in a successful restoration project.
  • A CRT display caused a high-pitched whine in the video, with efforts made to remove it during editing due to the creator's inability to hear it, leading to an upcoming documentary on the PC Junior.
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