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First sign of life in over 25 years from my Apple ][e

Submitted by gareth_IIe on August 5, 2020 - 10:15pm
So the replacement caps arrived today.  It turned out that while one of the tantalum capacitors on the main board had failed short, some actually seemed ok.  However I replaced the lot as a couple more had odd readings and there are only 9 of them anyway.  Powering the board up I actually got some output, though it's garbage with a flashing cursor a 3rd of the way down the screen.  Still, not at all bad for a computer that has sat idle for 25 years.  I'm thinking a short on the data or address bus, or maybe a faulty ram chip.
Tags: 
Apple ][e repair

The resurrection of my Apple ][e

Submitted by gareth_IIe on August 4, 2020 - 2:56pm

Around 25 yeasr ago (maybe longer) I turned my Apple ][e on and instead of booting I got nothing out of it.  I had a spare power supply so I swaped them over but to no avail.  I put the machine asside to repair and...

 

Tags: 
Apple ][e repair

OMG Don't Do It

Submitted by justjeff on July 8, 2020 - 10:38am

Can't believe that I come back here after all this time, and check this blog, and the One Thing on it -- an ominous foreshadowing of a day I've come to regret, the day I offloaded most of my 8 bit collection. "To make space". Omg, don't let this happen to you. Find an attic, a basement, a relative's closet, idk, find someplace, but don't abandon your 8 bit stuff just to "make space".  Bcz like as not, other stuff will just move into that space in short order, and you'll want to go boot up something like it's 1979 again, and then you'll realize your Mistake. (more after break)

 

How to: DIY changing the APPLE ][ title (part 2)

Submitted by Fuji on May 7, 2020 - 10:55am

Following my original article on how to change the "Apple ][" boot-title, this article gives even more insight and some neat tricks I previously hadn't covered.

How to: DIY 6x game connector switchbox

Submitted by Fuji on April 19, 2020 - 4:40pm
Instructions on how to build a switchbox that plugs in the Apple II game connector to allow up to 6 different devices to be attached without needing any unplugging. LEDs light up to indicate which one is in use.

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How to: DIY changing the APPLE ][ title

Submitted by Fuji on February 24, 2020 - 4:41pm

Instructions on how to change the familiar APPLE ][ title (when powering up the computer) to something else, and permanently storing it into an EPROM. Applies first of all to the Apple II+, but might work for other models as well.

appleII_title.jpg

How to: DIY 40/80 column auto softswitch

Submitted by Fuji on January 6, 2020 - 6:16pm

Build an automatic electronic switch so you don't have to manually switch (or unplug cables) whenever going from 40 column to 80 column mode (or vice versa) with an 80-column card (Videx Videoterm etc.).

 

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How to: DIY keyboard beeper circuit

Submitted by Fuji on January 1, 2020 - 3:03pm

Build a small circuit board which plugs into the Apple II motherboard to emit an electronic beep every time you press a key through its built-in piezo sounder. It also contains a switch for turning it off should you decide against it at some stage.

 

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Steve Jobs Think Poster

Submitted by Khaibitgfx on December 6, 2019 - 3:56pm

Desktop wallpaper in various resolutions.

 

DESKTOP WALLPAPERS PT4

Submitted by Khaibitgfx on September 9, 2019 - 8:26pm

This wallpaper originally released for Windows has been revamped and improved, to enhance your retro experience...

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