27
votes
Accepted
Are PowerPC processors still manufactured and used in desktop computers?
PowerPC CPUs are still produced, mainly for embedded applications, e.g. the Qorivva MPC55xx MCUs.
As far as I'm aware, the only currently-produced (for some value of "produced") desktop ...
- 118k
15
votes
Accepted
How should I repaint my Commodore PET?
Preface, I assume you already checked related questions like:
Cosmetically restoring vintage equipment
Will careful restoration of a retrocomputer's paint job enhance its value?
How to repair paint ...
- 213k
13
votes
How to get rid of yellowing in plastics?
Search the web for the term "Retrobrite" or "Retr0bright". You will also find numerous sources (including YouTube) for recipes and how-to's using OxyClean and other sodium percarbonate-based products ...
- 281
13
votes
Accepted
Restore corroded AT motherboard with dead CMOS battery
Disclaimer: This answer is not known to be accurate.
From the information you've provided so far it's tricky to give complete advice, but here's a start:
Removing corrosion
The low CMOS battery ...
- 18.5k
13
votes
Accepted
Glue to attach rubber feet to a PC case?
A thin plastic tape with strong adhesive on both sides is what I usually use for these types of applications. The tape I use is Scotch 665 double-coated tape; it's a bit hard to find but an ...
- 9,290
11
votes
When or should we expect our 8-bit motherboards to fail due to the capacitors?
As someone who owns around 70 vintage computers (8/16 bit), leaky caps are a big concern for me.
In my experiences, batteries leak far more often than capacitors. Obviously, electrolytic capacitors ...
- 8,441
10
votes
When or should we expect our 8-bit motherboards to fail due to the capacitors?
This clearly needs a "depends" answer.
There are known places where I wouldn't even dare to switch on a computer without replacing caps first - The Sinclair ZX Spectrum series is such a candidate - ...
- 33k
10
votes
Are PowerPC processors still manufactured and used in desktop computers?
Not a desktop PC, but the Nintendo Wii U is still manufactured and contains a Power PC processor.
Also the recently discontinued Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 consoles ran on Power PC too.
If you ...
- 201
10
votes
Accepted
How to clean an old computer ball-mouse
For the mouse ball, remove it and clean the rollers with some rubbing alcohol and a q-tip or if its really grungy, pick the crud off with your fingers first. The ball itself can usually just be wiped ...
- 4,517
10
votes
Accepted
Will careful restoration of a retrocomputer's paint job enhance its value?
I think this is something that will change over the years, but if I was to make a current observation by drawing parallels to the automobile industry, I would say "sort of".
While I'm not trying to ...
- 15.8k
9
votes
What size screws were used in the Amiga desktop cases?
There is very little information online about this, so I have scraped around and put this together:
The screws on the Amiga 500 and 500+ were often Phillips (requiring a #2 Phillips head screwdriver[...
- 18.5k
9
votes
How to repair paint on IBM PC?
Like you, I had an IBM PC in need of paint restoration. I used the Pantone 413 suggestion and the result.... drum roll please:
Repainted PC on left, factory PC on right.
TL;DR (my experience)
My PC ...
- 1,287
8
votes
Accepted
Will an eMac boot without a PRAM battery installed?
No. I measured the voltage across the power pins before and after installing a new battery and observed a change from 0V to 3.6V. The three pins for the power switch are 3.6V, ground and ground, with ...
- 2,144
8
votes
How to get rid of yellowing in plastics?
I used the method outlined here by Javier Rivera on my Apple IIc Plus and it worked fine. Javier does a lot of RetroBrite projects and posts a number of results to the Apple II Enthusiasts Facebook ...
- 181
8
votes
Accepted
Are the effects of "Retro-Brighting" permanent or temporary?
I do not have any anecdotal evidence, but scientific evidence seems to show that color restoration through use of hydrogen peroxide is a temporary solution to a long term problem.
A related question/...
- 919
8
votes
Is it possible to adapt a standard PC floppy drive to work in an IBM PS/2?
Disclaimer: I don't have enough experience to know which of these pins, if any, need to be NOTted in the converter. I could not find information about voltage either, so I have ignored it.
Use a ...
- 18.5k
8
votes
Accepted
How to repair paint on IBM PC?
The old computer cases I saw were some pretty thick sheet metal, almost exactly like old car bodies from pre-1970s (enough metal that they can rust outside for years and still be sanded down & ...
- 316
7
votes
Replacing Amiga 9 pin D-Sub mouse cable
Unfortunately there were a few "revisions" of the mouse, and the pads on the mouse side were not always signed; the color coding isn't guaranteed to be repeatable either.
If your mouse has the pins ...
- 7,075
7
votes
Are PowerPC processors still manufactured and used in desktop computers?
There are single board computers ("SBCs") available with Power architecture processors that could possibly double as desktop machines, e.g. this one has USB and can apparently be configured with a PCI ...
- 12.8k
7
votes
Cosmetically restoring vintage equipment
Old plastic changing colors or damaged
Plastics which have been exposed to the sun often fade because the ultraviolet light breaks down molecules in the surface layer.
Plastics can also age due to ...
- 3,639
7
votes
Restore corroded AT motherboard with dead CMOS battery
wizzwizz4 has a good answer about cleaning up the corrosive chemicals to stop the damage getting any worse, so I won't duplicate that information. But here are a few more suggestions. My experience is ...
- 5,271
7
votes
Accepted
Is it safe to provide 5V to CMOS RAM from PSU instead of CR2032 battery?
The datasheet for that part can be found here, it lists the maximum for VBAT as 4.0 V, so yes you do need to regulate down from 5 V.
- 224
7
votes
How to protect a ZX Spectrum mainboard from "ageing"?
The ULA chip in the ZX Spectrum (48K version at least) has been completely (100%) reversed engineered by Chris Smith. He released the design to the public (look up his book...it's amazing) and since ...
- 8,441
7
votes
Glue to attach rubber feet to a PC case?
I find this website helpful for similar questions: https://thistothat.com/
"We are here to help you choose the right glue for your bonding requirements"
Rubber to Metal
For the strongest ...
- 579
7
votes
Accepted
What is the effect of direct exposure of the magnetic disk of a floppy to ultraviolet (UV) light?
UV light won't affect the magnetic signal.
It will however degrade most plastics. UV has energetic photons, that can break apart the molecules in the plastic, thereby degrading it. This has nothing to ...
- 298
6
votes
Accepted
To wash or not to wash a Mac SE/30
Your capacitors are definitely bad, you should get that goo off of the board asap, however the damage may already be done. you might consider using a tooth brush while you're at it
I've washed boards ...
- 1,213
6
votes
How to get rid of yellowing in plastics?
I have used recipes from here with great success:
http://www.retr0bright.com/make.html
I used the second recipe with a high concentration hydrogen peroxide. I was able to find the high ...
- 61
6
votes
Repairing/Lubing/Fixing Amiga 500 floppy drive
It is possible that the old lubrication on the sticking part has absorbed some fluff or grit and so is no longer working as a lubricant. The build-up of muck could be around the point where the arm ...
- 8,031
6
votes
How to renew and re-ink old printer ribbons?
I don't know if this is the "best" solution, but I have found applying Singer light sewing machine oil to a dried-out fabric printer ribbon appears to be effective. This oil is odorless.
Amazon: ...
- 3,639
6
votes
How to repair paint on IBM PC?
'Original look' is at least debatable, if not a myth. If you're serious about history, then preserve the scratches as well. Clean them, and, if needed, add some conservation wax or alike. Nothing that ...
- 213k
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