Restoring three Commodore PC-compatibles

The 8-Bit Guy・2 minutes read

The speaker is working on a series on Commodore history, acquiring vintage computers from the Rhode Island Computer Museum and detailing the restoration process, including retrobrighting and repairs. Despite encountering issues like shipping damage and yellowed plastic, the speaker successfully restores the PCs, showcasing the importance of preserving vintage technology.

Insights

  • The speaker is deeply involved in creating a series on Commodore history, with a focus on their MS-DOS compatible computers and the Rhode Island Computer Museum's role in preserving vintage technology.
  • Through a detailed narrative involving a trade, inspection, and restoration process, the speaker showcases a hands-on approach to maintaining and repairing classic computers, emphasizing the significance of historical preservation and restoration efforts within the technology community.

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Recent questions

  • What is the speaker working on?

    A series on Commodore history

  • Where can one find a vast collection of vintage technology?

    Rhode Island Computer Museum

  • What did the speaker trade for a Tesla Model 3?

    Chevy Volt

  • What process was detailed involving water temperature monitoring?

    Retrobrighting process

  • What was used to remove residual adhesive from a warranty sticker?

    Alcohol

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Summary

00:00

"Vintage Computer Museum Adventures: Missing PC"

  • The speaker is working on a series of episodes on Commodore history, with three more episodes to complete.
  • Commodore produced MS-DOS compatible computers, with several models available.
  • The Rhode Island Computer Museum houses a vast collection of vintage technology, including personal computers, mainframes, and mini-computers.
  • The museum rents out vintage electronics to movie studios for props.
  • The museum shipped a PC 10 to the speaker, but a PC 1 was still missing.
  • The speaker received offers for a PC 1, with the closest offer from Bos Zimmerman near Austin, Texas.
  • The speaker traded a Chevy Volt for a Tesla Model 3 and drove to pick up the PC 1 from Bos Zimmerman.
  • The speaker inspected the PC 1 for yellowed plastic and shipping damage, noting issues with the keyboard and expansion cards.
  • The speaker also borrowed a 386 computer from Bos Zimmerman, noticing yellowing on one corner.
  • The speaker found shipping damage on the PC 10, with expansion cards jolted out of their sockets, and proceeded to repair and restore the computers.

14:10

"Retrobrighting Restores Vintage Computer to Original Color"

  • The warranty sticker is removed, indicating no warranty repairs from Commodore. Alcohol is used to remove residual adhesive, and concerns arise about the original color of the computer due to minimal color difference inside and outside.
  • Retrobrighting process is detailed, with the water temperature monitored at 59 degrees. Bubbles forming during the process require hourly checks. The contrast in color is evident after retrobrighting the top piece, prompting the need to treat the bottom half as well.
  • Disassembly of the computer reveals three screws holding the power supply, with plastic snaps securing other components. Retrobrighting is done on various parts, including the floppy drive bezel. Despite some yellowing remaining, reassembly is completed, with rubber feet replaced for better fit.
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