Restoring an Apple II+ clone Startup label problem

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Restoring an Apple II+ clone Startup label problem

Hi Guys,

I am restoring a rare Italian Apple II+ clone called LEMON II

The system is suffering from ROTBIT so i will have to reflash the eproms on it and seems that i am not able to find the original roms for this system i have decided to go with the APPLE II+ Roms

I would like to change the writing when the system comes up from APPLE ][ to LEMON ][ as it was originaly but can't find were to change it, with my HEX editor i can't find were it is, has anyone delt with someting like this.

Thanks Marco

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You might want to check this

You might want to check this out:

 

how-diy-changing-apple-title

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Thank you so much it was

Thank you so much it was really what i needed, i am taking the whole thing apart and restoring every single piece needs a lot of TLC as pieces are missing.

I will start a post as work progresses.

Thanks again

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Can you post a picture of the

Can you post a picture of the Lemon? :) 

 

I am Italian and I didn't know there was such a machine! I am very curious!

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Pictures

 

As you can see it is in really bad shape but i intend to fix it and return it to its original form

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fantastic! I do recommend

fantastic!

 

I do recommend this product for the board: https://uk.farnell.com/electrolube/swas05l/cleanser-aqueous-super-swas-5l/dp/725687

 

It's water based and it will remove all of the dirt and make the board litterally sparkling. I have also noticed that it removed quite a lot of oxidation. It's designed for ultrasonic cleaners but it works well with a brush too. It made a huge difference on my 1982 Apple //e. 

 

below you see a before and after and the last picture shows you how much oxidation and grime the fluid removed: I covered the left hand side with some tape trying to protect the date code.

 

 

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Wow looks super cool, thanks

Wow looks super cool, thanks for the tip

My intention is to strip the board bare and substitue all sockets and components. once i see it beep on again. At the moment it still not working as it has missing roms long way to go before i strip it for cleaning.

I will post all the progress pictures

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Replace all components?  I

Replace all components? 

 

I removed all the chips and cleaned them but I did not replace them. I tried to keep the system as original as possible and only replaced faulty components (and capacitors). 

Also bear in mind that our boards are 40 years old and the less you play with them, the better. Just my 2p opinion :)

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Yes Tony i agree with you but

Yes Tony i agree with you but i will have to change at least 90% of the sockets as the corrosion is beyond repair for them, as for the chips, most of the TTL chips are working i have tested them one by one i have 6 bad ones that have to change anyway i will keep the decent ones. Ram chips i have 4 shot so not so bad logicaly i will not throw away working chips. Suprizingly the board's quality is not all that bad i tested removing a few sockets and they came off very easy so i don't expect any damage in replacing the sockets.

The computer was found in a "cantina" (basement) and was damp so it will need a drastic workover.

Seems that it is an actual clone i am not all that worried to keep it as it was original if it were an original things change, my APPLE IIe is all original just restored

 

 

 

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I see - that makese sense. It

I see - that makese sense. It doesn't look so bad from the picture though.

 

I thought you just wanted to replace all the components regardless, sorry for assuming that. Do try that fluid I mentioned, it's incredibly good and not making toxic fumes etc (but DO wear gloves when using it).

That's an interesting project, I'll keep an eye on this thread for updates! 

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Can you send a closeup of the

Can you send a closeup of the rightmost ROM socket and the chip next to it. Looks like it might work with the ROMX board.

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Hi Jeff,I am at my summer

Hi Jeff,

I am at my summer house today so not able to, i will on Sunday afternoon, i have ordered the PCB's for the BRAINBOARD from china and they will arrive on Tuesday.

My ultimate goal is to use 3 2732 but for testing ROMX board would be perfect

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That's a seriously beautiful system

I hope you can get it working right,

 

About the only "advice" I can give is I find a sand eraser (Also known as an ink eraser) seems to hit the sweet spot of softness vs abrasiveness for cleaning contacts on component legs. Had to clean about half the chips on an Apple IIeuroplus, and the sand eraser was the best of all the solutions I tried.

 

(I love that numeric keypad! Perfect for entering Hexadecimal!)

 

Chesh

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Thanks Chesh

Thanks for the hints all are welcome as for the system yes i find it very nice, according to me one of the nicer clones around it is just a bit too big for my liking

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Closeup

Hi Jeff.

Here is the closeup you asked for, if you want i can remove the sockets aswell as i intend to anyway

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I honestly would try the

I honestly would try the fluid I suggested. I have a feeling you'd be amazed by the result! Get a toothbrush for the sockets and a brush for the rest. 

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Ordered

Hi Tony, i have ordered it should be arriving this week, i have ordered it from the Italian site:

https://it.farnell.com/electrolube/swas05l/prod-pulizia-aqueous-super-swas/dp/725687?ost=swas&dym=saws#

I'll let you know how it goes

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It lives
First signs of life

 

Mind you not a very clean data line but that will be solved with new decoupling caps

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Keep us posted!a couple of

Keep us posted!

a couple of tips

- wear gloves

- the instructions say to use tap water to rinse. I prefer to use distilled water but my advice is that you rinse with tap water first then rinse again in distilled water at the end. This is because it takes a bit for the fluid to rinse away when washing (you'll see foam keeps forming) and if you just pour distilled water on the board, it'll take quite a lot to properly rinse it. So I only use distilled water at the end to remove residues left behind by tap water. - the fluid is designed for ultrasonic cleaner so what I like to do is to submerge the board and brush then leave it there for a bit then brush again etc. Overall I probably leave it submerged for 15-30 minutes and then rinse. - remember that is a water based cleaner so maybe not suitable if you have relays or components where liquids can get stuck. - on my board I removed all the socketed ICs before cleaning 

- the fluid is reusable so get a funnel and put it back in its container at the end.  

looking forward to seeing the outcome, your board is much dirtier than mine was! 

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