Brett's STE - Repair thread

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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Brett's STE - Repair thread

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Well that's a start. The original ROMs work just fine, and after some minor repairs to the switcher (2 pins were broken and the rest had some solder debris) that works too. 😁
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
BrettRogersUK
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Re: Brett's STE - Repair thread

Post by BrettRogersUK »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 11:08 am Well that's a start. The original ROMs work just fine, and after some minor repairs to the switcher (2 pins were broken and the rest had some solder debris) that works too. 😁
I've just realised, I didn't send the switch over that I had connected to the switcher to put in the back of the case so I can switch it between each version. Doh!😳😳😳😳
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Re: Brett's STE - Repair thread

Post by rubber_jonnie »

BrettRogersUK wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 12:26 pm
rubber_jonnie wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 11:08 am Well that's a start. The original ROMs work just fine, and after some minor repairs to the switcher (2 pins were broken and the rest had some solder debris) that works too. 😁
I've just realised, I didn't send the switch over that I had connected to the switcher to put in the back of the case so I can switch it between each version. Doh!😳😳😳😳
Not a problem, I've fitted a 2 pin header to the switcher to allow me to jumper it and test, and it's fine in both 1.62 and 2.06 :) Let me know if you want the header removing before I send it back, but you can connect the switch to it directly.

I'm starting repairs this afternoon, fingers crossed I'll get a good run at it. With @sporniket 's schematic and my working machine to hand, I should be able to figure it out.

I think I'll likely go with @stephen_usher 's idea of fitting the sockets and rebuilding one at a time. Luckily the 5v and GND are all intact, so I know the ROMS will at least have power.

It was lucky too that the end pins on the switcher were the damaged ones, as they were nice and easy to replace.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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Re: Brett's STE - Repair thread

Post by rubber_jonnie »

So, the work has been going nicely, I have installed the sockets and repaired the links between the address lines and some of the other pins.

IMG_20220115_154719.jpg
IMG_20220115_154719.jpg (631.09 KiB) Viewed 1564 times

I've checked some of the data lines and need to finish checking those before I review the address lines and confirm if any need reconnecting to other places, but taking a soldering break for a moment
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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Re: Brett's STE - Repair thread

Post by Badwolf »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 3:51 pm So, the work has been going nicely, I have installed the sockets
I don't recognise what's going on here. It doesn't look like any repair I've ever done. I can only see neat and tidy wires. Very strange.

BW

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Re: Brett's STE - Repair thread

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Badwolf wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 4:01 pm
rubber_jonnie wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 3:51 pm So, the work has been going nicely, I have installed the sockets
I don't recognise what's going on here. It doesn't look like any repair I've ever done. I can only see neat and tidy wires. Very strange.

BW

:lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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Re: Brett's STE - Repair thread

Post by rubber_jonnie »

OK, time to stop for the day.

I think I made reasonable progress, here's the patient:

IMG_20220115_170449.jpg
IMG_20220115_170449.jpg (370.51 KiB) Viewed 1547 times

And here's the progress:

IMG_20220115_170407__01.jpg
IMG_20220115_170407__01.jpg (266.77 KiB) Viewed 1547 times

Every item crossed out is good in the top and bottom socket, so a bit more checking to see that everything is connected as per the schematics. I know at least one address line isn't.

More to do!
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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Re: Brett's STE - Repair thread

Post by exxos »

Dr Jonnie at work :2k2: we need a new emoji :lol: :geek:
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viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
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Re: Brett's STE - Repair thread

Post by rubber_jonnie »

exxos wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 5:27 pm Dr Jonnie at work :2k2: we need a new emoji :lol: :geek:
We do indeed!! Make it your task for the weekend :)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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Re: Brett's STE - Repair thread

Post by stephen_usher »

Those are very chunky wires. :-)

I usually use wire wrap wire as it's only "low speed" signalling.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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