Gammitin (Ben) 💾

Retro-Eclectic Nerd:
Refurbishing Vintage Tech 💾
Obsolete doesn’t mean dead!
+Cat Enthusiast 🐱
If you're in the UK, I can save your kit from e-waste. 🙏
🔗
https://linktr.ee/gammitin

Location: Enq: gammitinofficial@gmail.com
Link: https://ko-fi.com/gammitin

Public Key

npub1f3aargkqfx6336keaf6ejhzrdxt7dslzzksrppn8r25waeyccszqkxa0y3

NIP-05 Address

gammitin_at_mastodon.social@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsyc7735tqyndgcatv75avet3pkn9lxc03ptgpssen3428wujvvgpqpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dss7z0a5

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1f3aargkqfx6336keaf6ejhzrdxt7dslzzksrppn8r25waeyccszqkxa0y3

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Last Notes

2026-04-05 20:20:32 UTC

IBM ThinkPad T42 (2004) running MX Linux 😘🐧
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/353/953/314/032/012/original/03aad0cbd9687a34.jpeg

2026-04-02 21:11:58 UTC

Sometimes I'm totally blown away with how nice people in the retro computer community can be. Honestly I'm speechless!
I've been after a 1Ghz Slot A Athlon for 20 years and then I'm gifted one by one of the kindest people ever
Thank you so much @npub18zp…8pd8 I'm over the moon 😊
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/337/168/650/765/246/original/20b1c8ddcdb397c5.jpg

2026-04-02 20:29:30 UTC

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Yassss I got the DNS working!
So happy, that's the last piece of the puzzle sorted!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/337/001/707/015/282/original/62d63428a3204714.jpg

2026-04-01 22:29:02 UTC

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It's now talking to the outside world, I've also installed a web browser.
Here's theoldnet.com but I've not managed to get the DNS working yet, I had to enter the I.P address.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/331/809/390/164/734/original/6342bba25f386b2d.jpg

2026-04-01 22:12:41 UTC

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What I love about these kind of projects is the learning process. I've now managed to get the network working on my lan. I was trying to copy some software packages over and they all didn't extract properly.
I realised the built in FTP client is default in ASCII mode, not binary. 😂
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/331/745/135/065/114/original/e50cab007dbbe315.jpg

2026-04-01 22:07:07 UTC

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So, to get the network card to work I've had to swap it around with the video card as I had IRQ issues. It's now initialising.
Also I had to use my 10/100 switch as it only seems to like a 10mb connection.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/331/723/219/444/012/original/8381599297208011.jpg

2026-04-01 22:00:51 UTC

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The IDE to SD card was quite slow, so I've dd'd a backup image of it and written it to an SSD, it's about 5x+ faster now, really impressed with the boot speed and general usability.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/331/698/567/433/922/original/84f340b18df6fd46.jpg

2026-04-01 21:53:49 UTC

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Sound is also now working!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/331/670/695/022/464/original/57c9b669b72ecd8d.mp4

2026-04-01 21:45:34 UTC

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The Video is fully working, check this screensaver out, I think I've seen it somewhere before 🤔
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/331/638/401/508/065/original/5d9eb960a444c866.mp4

2026-04-01 21:35:28 UTC

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So, as I've had to do numerous installs to get the video working, I ended up making a VMWare machine.
I mounted an SD card as a physical IDE drive in the virtual machine and did the install that way.
Also a great way to get files on is to add packages to an ISO and mount it.

2026-04-01 21:05:32 UTC

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The hardware:
- Pentium 3 - 800Mhz (Coppermine)
- 512MB RAM
- Ati Rage XL 8MB Video
- Creative Soundblaster PCI 128
- Intel Pro 100 Network Card
- SSD
The goal:
- High Res Colour Video
- Sound
- Full Networking
- Fast Booting and Usability
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/331/481/091/513/802/original/c9dcdcc5d9d4dd32.jpg

2026-04-01 20:45:51 UTC

I've always wanted a machine to run NeXSTEP natively, the chances of me ever getting a real Next Computer are very slim.
So, I've been researching hardware for an Intel based build and today I got to about 99% completion of the testing.
I'm more than pleased! 😍👇
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/331/403/648/761/413/original/1966920ef658dbe6.jpeg

2026-03-31 18:12:16 UTC

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too busy cooking at the moment 😂

2026-03-31 17:37:00 UTC

Giving Windows Me a whirl on this Pentium 3, let's see if it's as unstable as I remember 🤔
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/324/998/843/854/329/original/19a36092f573963b.jpg

2026-03-30 21:39:38 UTC

If anyone in the I.T field in the UK has any corporate laptops being discarded because of Windows 11 requirements please either give me a shout to help them get to FreeITStafford or reach to https://www.freeitstafford.org/
A UK non-profit volunteer team fighting e-waste and digital poverty by giving them back to the community.
Link: https://www.freeitstafford.org/

2026-03-28 23:17:06 UTC

Nice Saturday Retro Mission!
I just installed modern Linux: Debian 14 "Forky" (kernel compiled yesterday), from the ground up on an:
Apple iBook G4/1.33 14" 1.25GB RAM (2004).
Wow, this is really fast and cool 😎
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/309/349/131/373/187/original/481999a2f3058913.jpeg

2026-03-28 22:48:11 UTC

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Xorg configured and lightdm display manager working 👍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/309/235/453/772/426/original/63d24ad887c46ad2.jpg

2026-03-28 22:08:05 UTC

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[[[ENHANCE]]]
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/309/077/791/348/433/original/debf154053730573.jpg

2026-03-28 22:06:23 UTC

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Obligatory Fastfetch:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/309/071/126/242/327/original/5723f1398684ca14.jpg

2026-03-28 21:59:04 UTC

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No WiFi yet, but I've got that covered for now!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/309/042/338/586/035/original/f8d617460457f86e.jpg

2026-03-28 21:56:51 UTC

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https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/309/033/646/030/924/original/03407edde8667e25.jpg

2026-03-28 21:56:40 UTC

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Debian Forky (codename for 14), up and running.
Now I'm getting everything installed, no sudo etc.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/309/032/868/773/065/original/eea9a31201e72014.jpg

2026-03-28 21:03:49 UTC

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I'm trying Debian 12 PowerPC, wish me luck, not sure how this is going to go....
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/308/825/100/328/471/original/68bcee9a233616a9.jpg

2026-03-28 20:53:25 UTC

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Well, I've got to try to get Linux going haven't I, it would be rude not to.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/308/784/225/313/050/original/6b435233865063fb.jpg

2026-03-28 20:47:51 UTC

Having a spontaneous #MARCHintosh day today, not sure how that happened.
I got this FireWire DVD-RW a while back, that I never really tested, I thought it was worth cracking out to try.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/308/762/303/147/569/original/ae8faa1f96f06481.jpeg

2026-03-27 21:38:51 UTC

Windows XP Nickelodeon Theme
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/303/300/464/932/644/original/b4b2597e05e9a489.jpeg

2026-03-26 21:22:53 UTC

ASRock E35LM1 Mini-ITX running Windows 98SE, with a PCIe to 32-bit PCI adapter and an Nvidia Geforce FX 5500.
It likes Quake 2!
Sometimes I wonder: why am I like this!? 🤔
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/297/574/704/107/920/original/edb49cfb82dca7eb.mp4

2026-03-25 20:04:49 UTC

Pentium III
+
Windows 98
+
Quake II
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/291/604/966/111/184/original/d8d3b22feaeadd5f.mp4

2026-03-19 20:23:29 UTC

Thursday evening Windows 98 install on a Pentium II, my kind of Zen 🧘‍♂️😊
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/257/705/639/894/303/original/cd3980216bb3df80.jpeg

2026-03-14 11:04:41 UTC

Descent 2 is now 30 years old!
It's definitely up there as one of my all-time favourite games!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/227/196/770/656/014/original/07c48a3787e066ff.jpeg

2026-03-07 21:14:04 UTC

25Mhz 286 😍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/189/956/835/702/246/original/358561103f7cf02d.jpeg

2026-02-28 20:35:29 UTC

Apricot PC Xi (1984)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/150/168/907/694/106/original/cf15bc8c715fc2f5.png

2026-02-18 20:13:32 UTC

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This is what I now get, I think the DRAM has failed 😒
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/093/459/571/852/435/original/cb867289abf80d24.jpg

2026-02-18 20:11:12 UTC

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So I started to make a Spectrum to Atari joystick converter (need to finalise the heat shrink and resin the end) and I was about to test it, then........
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/093/450/384/480/911/original/5eeb8a2f73ba223c.jpg

2026-02-13 17:35:19 UTC

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So the +2A is now playing anything I throw at it, this game takes 13 minutes to load from tape, but what a game, all time classic!
R-Type (1989)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/064/525/692/880/046/original/c377d218de9b654b.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/064/525/793/072/144/original/3b913dab5c40f013.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/064/525/877/599/475/original/5398c4fa7c65b64e.jpg

2026-02-13 00:38:14 UTC

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I've found out an old Android phone with a 3.5mm jack, wiped it and installed this app called: PlayZX. It plays the ZX game tapes into the cassette adapter in the deck. 👍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/060/526/574/766/741/original/31c23b77ae31ffae.jpg

2026-02-13 00:30:35 UTC

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I need to sort a joystick, playing with the keyboard is just not the same experience. 🕹️

2026-02-13 00:29:19 UTC

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Not only did I fix the issue, I now by chance loaded a game and as soon as I saw it had an insane nostalgia hit from when I was young - I played this 40 years ago and forgot about it. Wow 🥹
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/060/491/514/074/884/original/38a85e6a5301d1c9.jpg

2026-02-13 00:23:48 UTC

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Ok, so I've sorted the issue, I needed to adjust the azimuth of the tape head! 👍👍
Everything is now loading on the 1st try, I'm so happy ☺️
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/060/469/775/504/469/original/8ca66d030241212b.jpg

2026-02-12 22:24:48 UTC

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I'm struggling to get larger games to work at the moment, but the loading screens look cool 😎
I'm going to install an audio-in jack (the +2A doesn't have one), hopefully it will help the situation. 🤔
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/060/001/828/634/464/original/74b23011e268d2dc.jpg

2026-02-12 22:14:07 UTC

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Digger Dan (1983) loaded and was the first ever game I've played on this Spectrum.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/059/959/859/743/604/original/2394bea8955fdda3.jpg

2026-02-12 22:11:33 UTC

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I'm shocked that a Bluetooth cassette tape works tbh!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/059/949/784/962/073/original/7f33cbd970e762ad.jpg

2026-02-11 18:34:53 UTC

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Ok, so I've reassembled it, honestly it was a pain, but it's not completely done yet (keys not cleaned yet).
To Do:
- Take the keyboard back out and deep clean each key.
- Figure out how and where to mount the Pico PSU.
-Figure out where to put the USB C connector.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/053/435/481/936/843/original/94c0f99de5387b24.jpg

2026-02-11 18:25:25 UTC

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Can you tell where I've gone wrong? 🙃
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/053/398/297/829/886/original/d55d4457aeedb2ea.jpg

2026-02-11 18:23:52 UTC

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Sorted!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/053/392/210/823/791/original/2f0d71d8bd3c3a98.jpg

2026-02-11 18:21:08 UTC

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Part of the tape deck needs reattaching:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/053/381/280/622/674/original/285efbc76d8076b4.jpg

2026-02-11 18:19:11 UTC

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Bottom half sorted, the left standoff was destroyed, so I'll have to hope for the best as it's one that holds the front of the case down.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/053/373/736/860/382/original/b2676b79d9879c13.jpg

2026-02-11 18:16:02 UTC

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16 standoffs repaired, now onto the front half and also the tape deck.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/053/361/367/687/467/original/c1de7e3e2b251327.jpg

2026-02-10 23:07:12 UTC

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11 threaded standoffs repaired so far, 5 more to go 😌
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/048/844/003/608/884/original/2774e77c670ea5ff.jpg

2026-02-10 18:32:40 UTC

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Solid!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/764/438/120/044/original/e37cd90df1b1cf6e.jpg

2026-02-10 18:28:58 UTC

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Post, by post, piece by piece, we will rebuild this!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/749/908/853/653/original/f2ff822b8090a170.jpg

2026-02-10 18:21:44 UTC

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Happy with the case now! 😍
Next is the millions of posts that have snapped off 😔
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/721/284/030/031/original/2fd5462d7c68c5b1.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/721/375/803/335/original/508c71c17c7df2a7.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/721/465/104/257/original/7104a30e3ab577a3.jpg

2026-02-10 18:19:53 UTC

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The resin is stronger than the case itself! 💪
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/713/973/849/009/original/18dfa112a0084e04.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/714/065/157/377/original/17516e39efc33796.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/714/129/925/463/original/d7bdfae07781bd2f.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/714/202/999/504/original/b6e90c772649a9f6.jpg

2026-02-10 18:15:19 UTC

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UV Resin repair time, first I'll start with the actual damaged case.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/696/088/744/710/original/ec6c803880ec4877.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/696/189/182/921/original/13114c0d7baa635e.jpg

2026-02-10 18:08:36 UTC

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I've taken the tape deck out, cleaned and dried both sides of the case, looking a lot fresher now!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/669/841/851/360/original/25275131622b44e9.jpg

2026-02-10 18:05:18 UTC

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It's case cleaning time 🫧🪥
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/656/846/282/926/original/26718ce81411f218.jpg

2026-02-10 18:03:45 UTC

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The Spectrum +2A saga continues.....
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/650/502/240/184/original/f2ddeead7ecc5e91.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/650/630/935/881/original/3ea0510b76fcb9dd.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/650/694/963/767/original/552f05d82a468b16.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/650/770/262/975/original/a3900091dc109202.jpg

2026-02-09 19:25:42 UTC

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These keys and the board will all need individually washing, but I've other things to sort out first, like testing the Datacorder, mounting the new USB C PSU and fixing the case.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/042/310/498/425/206/original/1458b7c529926396.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/042/310/659/553/448/original/e88c9004d26a70b1.jpg

2026-02-09 19:20:50 UTC

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I've quickly cleaned the springs and put it back together, this will have a nice deep clean though.
But I'm happy to report that every key now works. 👍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/042/291/585/257/968/original/263f29bbf6977a96.jpg

2026-02-09 19:18:12 UTC

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Well that works nicely
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/042/281/222/126/085/original/25bff804d82a93e9.jpg

2026-02-09 19:15:16 UTC

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Keyboard membrane cleaned up, now let's test it.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/042/269/393/585/542/original/e6ea17c503df6d14.jpg

2026-02-09 19:12:56 UTC

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https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/042/260/502/653/298/original/82873744c2370c61.jpg

2026-02-09 19:11:32 UTC

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Yuck 🤮
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/042/255/031/837/354/original/61e9d78153b02b21.jpg

2026-02-09 19:10:14 UTC

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Membrane removed and it's really gross, also it looks like there may have been a spillage at some point.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/042/249/906/579/933/original/688bd9be09d8badf.jpg

2026-02-09 19:08:36 UTC

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Also Basic works well and has a flashing cursor.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/042/243/492/162/157/original/ad3f0f01a3c1c4ab.jpg

2026-02-09 19:06:38 UTC

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So, I tried cleaning the membrane connector and the socket, no luck.
But, if I short out a few connections, below I figured out up, down and enter I can get into basic.
So I know that it's not the machine, it's something to do with the keyboard itself.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/042/235/739/948/253/original/2a9e0ee21fcaf006.jpg

2026-02-09 19:01:38 UTC

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Sooo, my keyboard is not working, no keys at all - let's diagnose.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/042/216/077/446/521/original/3dab7f0317daa291.jpg

2026-02-08 21:13:15 UTC

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Before
/
After
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/037/071/296/509/595/original/7160084ba692a3f7.jpg

2026-02-08 21:11:26 UTC

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Looking good on my Commodore monitor via RGB too! 👍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/037/064/142/771/029/original/55f5ffb60a1813b0.jpg

2026-02-08 21:08:11 UTC

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Wow, just wow! 😊😊😊😊
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/037/051/294/165/418/original/ef2d7ce7d7648a42.jpg

2026-02-08 20:57:38 UTC

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There we go, an RGB Scart cable, that's compatible with the:
ZX Spectrum +2A / +2B / +3
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/037/009/862/756/007/original/88dca352d93eee66.jpg

2026-02-08 20:55:34 UTC

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All sorted, just need to put the connector back together.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/037/001/755/107/280/original/bfea2354d774b99f.jpg

2026-02-08 20:53:04 UTC

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Checked all the pins, all good and no shorts.
Next up is to add 3x 330R resistors to the R, G & B connectors inside the scart.
Fortunately there's a lot more room in there!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/036/991/694/891/176/original/f42f9394a4c6fcb3.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/036/991/912/446/131/original/9814385b6b8b46bc.jpg

2026-02-08 20:49:45 UTC

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DIN is Done!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/036/978/866/620/866/original/c1c540e2c898fb0b.jpg

2026-02-08 20:40:45 UTC

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This is going to be fun 😊
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/036/943/521/608/008/original/f2ea397b27d1b719.jpg

2026-02-08 20:36:35 UTC

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Bit of a sense check.....
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/036/927/136/219/162/original/cd4826169ee9eb28.jpg

2026-02-08 20:33:11 UTC

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"it will be ok......"
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/036/913/730/940/096/original/977aedbe3fe7aa6c.jpg

2026-02-08 20:30:11 UTC

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Slowly, slowly...
These all need to be grounded, soldering 6 wires into a single pin will be fun.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/036/901/945/257/657/original/1014f47c1e29c9fa.jpg

2026-02-08 20:27:44 UTC

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Scart cable chopped in half, this is what we're working with:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/036/892/298/055/185/original/93629440b05230bc.jpg

2026-02-08 20:24:31 UTC

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"Buy an RGB Scart cable"
No, let's make one, we have the technology!
Quality Scart Cable ✅
8-Pin DIN ✅
Sunday Afternoon ✅
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/036/879/679/660/553/original/b45e06fc1900a622.jpg

2026-02-06 19:03:06 UTC

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Works a treat! 👍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/025/234/866/757/713/original/aa5e104a01ff4290.jpg

2026-02-06 18:55:57 UTC

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Time to have a go with powering it by USB C PD:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/025/206/773/381/509/original/76b1ca30ee00d235.jpg

2026-02-06 18:50:16 UTC

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The RF signal sucks, but well happy!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/025/184/428/112/141/original/9eef0e484099ccd5.jpg

2026-02-06 18:43:20 UTC

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It's Alive! 😊😊😊😊
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/025/157/100/421/217/original/56c070336818b287.jpg

2026-02-06 18:38:31 UTC

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So I'm going to make an RGB Scart cable, but for now I just have RF that's easily accessible. This little trucker TV is so useful, it auto scans channels, got it hooked up.
It's go time! 😬
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/025/138/209/200/226/original/d41e4a11a711cb0e.jpg

2026-02-06 17:57:34 UTC

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The plan:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/024/977/157/929/702/original/00a0e5bfb0e36c54.jpg

2026-02-06 17:55:42 UTC

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I forgot to say, all the socked chips have been removed, scrubbed and then reseated.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/024/969/899/763/321/original/c4a1d1b3f0905f66.jpg

2026-02-06 17:49:53 UTC

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I have a plan, which is why I've gone for long pin headers, but they're in and tested via the DIN socket. 👍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/024/946/975/788/042/original/31e1f1d8202d9e3d.jpg

2026-02-06 17:47:37 UTC

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So, I don't have a PSU, but thanks to a tip on RHD, there's a 12v and 5v breakout, without a header:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/024/938/079/062/553/original/c03d0c5fb050bf40.jpg

2026-02-06 17:43:18 UTC

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The board is now looking a little fresher after a good scrub with Isopropyl alcohol.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/024/921/110/305/461/original/546b1ed8ddf63748.jpg

2026-02-06 17:34:43 UTC

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https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/024/887/011/659/150/original/7945922d30e42c14.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/024/887/088/865/167/original/032b4091c80035c9.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/024/887/155/462/872/original/08b0cc7e8d329f72.jpg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/024/887/368/376/622/original/e60884ab5617157f.jpg

2026-02-06 17:32:38 UTC

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Here's the dirty mainboard:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/024/879/152/016/000/original/bcbf665297fc4948.jpg

2026-02-06 17:04:59 UTC

Sinclair Spectrum +2A (Amstrad) (1987)
Untested, Dirty & smashed in the post, but that's my kind of challenge, especially on my current 8-bit kick at the moment
❌Case is broken
❌Tape belt stretched
🤷‍♂️No idea if it works
❌No PSU
❌No Video Cable
❌No Joystick
LET'S 🫧🪛 IT!🧵👇
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/024/770/443/248/680/original/0d45e5a8834051ff.jpg

2026-02-05 20:58:49 UTC

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https://github.com/PluMGMK/vbesvga.drv

2026-02-05 20:20:37 UTC

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Ask, and Ye shall receive a free wallpaper:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/019/877/376/885/532/original/f243f5338dd93446.jpg

2026-02-05 20:04:50 UTC

Windows 11 Users, be like:
"Look at my modern desktop!"
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/019/815/276/075/146/original/06a944e128dfd896.jpeg

2026-02-04 19:19:45 UTC

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If you're a Windows user, no problem as there's a handy tool in the Git:
https://github.com/konkotgit/MSX-Spider-Cart/tree/main/tools
But I decided to make one in Python for Linux, it does the above and also pads it out the ROM to 64K so you can use W27C512 EEPROM'S easily.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/013/975/713/133/377/original/e88f564ff14d2bc8.png

2026-02-04 19:15:00 UTC

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32K ROM Cart Caveat:
The 32kB EPROM occupies 4000h to BFFFh in the address space because it is using CS1 as read enable.
A14 will be high from 4000h to 7FFFh and low from 8000h to BFFFh. So A14 actually needs to be inverted.
By swapping the two areas no inverter is required.

2026-02-04 18:15:03 UTC

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Well, it works:
The Goonies. 😍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/013/721/325/438/188/original/649e6464f4986da6.jpg

2026-02-04 18:09:15 UTC

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That'll do nicely! 👍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/013/698/540/498/284/original/be9c725b4f324496.jpg