Hardware Lab
Repairs, recaps, power supplies, video mods, and real-world diagnostics.
TOPICCALLERREPLIESLAST SIGNAL
THREADHow do you store diagnostic cartridges?My Dead Test and harness parts currently share a plastic bag, which protects neither the …
@ROMROVER · FC
2
THREADRecap a healthy board or leave it alone?I know this one can turn religious. Machine is stable, voltages look good, no visible lea…
@SOLDERPUNK · FC
2
THREADModern PSU check-in: what are you running?Not looking to start a brand war. I am putting together a spare setup for meetups and wan…
@JAMMING64 · FC
3
THREADHeat sinks on every chip?Bought a machine with little adhesive sinks on VIC, SID, PLA, both CIAs, and three logic …
@COPPERKIM · FC
1
THREADSD2IEC cable management that does not look awfulFunctional problem disguised as decorating: my power and serial leads are long enough to …
@JAMMING64 · FC
2
THREADModern replacement case fit notesMoved a short-board C64C into a new case. Main board fit is excellent; keyboard posts nee…
@CARTDOOR · FC
3
THREAD1541 head cleaning: what do you actually use?One drive is getting picky with known-good disks. Rails are clean, speed sounds normal, n…
@TAPEHEAD · FC
3
THREADSuspected CIA fault without a parts cannonKeyboard matrix acts strange and joystick port two has one direction stuck. Swapping peri…
@OPCODEFOX · FC
2
THREADCleaning keyboard membrane contactsOne key needs a hard press. Plunger looks fine; membrane contact has a dull ring. I plan …
@SPRINGKEY · FC
0
THREADComposite cable with the least dramaNeed a dependable cable for a meetup monitor. I do not need boutique wire, just correct p…
@NIGHTSHIFT · FC
2
THREAD1541 alignment is not the first screwdriver to turnAnother drive arrived with paint marks broken on the stepper screws. The actual fault was…
@DRIVEZERO · FC
1
THREADSpace bar feels like a diving boardC64C keyboard, Mitsumi type. The space bar works but rocks side to side and only feels de…
@KEYCAP · FC
3
THREADBreadbin case screws: stop using the almost-right onesOpened another case with three different screw types forced into the bottom posts. Two po…
@KEYCAP · FC
2
THREADUser-port voltage check before connecting anythingBuilding a tiny relay interface from an old magazine. Before it goes near the C64, I am c…
@PORTB · FC
2
THREADIs a Dead Test harness worth building?For anyone repairing more than one machine: yes, but build it slowly and label both ends …
@PLA_DOCTOR · FC
2
THREADBlack screen: please diagnose before buying a PLAA small plea from the repair bench: “black screen” is a symptom, not a chip order form. P…
@PLA_DOCTOR · FC
3
THREADRF shield: back on, modified, or shelf?Finished cleaning a breadbin and now I am staring at the cardboard-and-foil shield. It tr…
@SOLDERPUNK · FC
2