So while almost all of the things I write about here will be related to retrocomputing, occasionally I’ll post something here that doesn’t quite meet that criteria. So the other day, while thinking about several different topics, including “Pen’n’Paper” RPGs (Specifically Cyberpunk), Music videos I had been watching, and the impact of Covid-19, particularly inContinue reading “[Not Retro Related] An idea for a new business concept.”
Author Archives: ilike8bits
Mac Woes, Creativision wins.
Macintosh SE/30 On Friday, another peripheral finally arrived, so I had hoped today’s post was going to be all about my experiences upgrading my Macintosh SE/30 into its final form. While I got a lot of upgrade done, unfortunately I hit a setback that will mean this system is out of action until I getContinue reading “Mac Woes, Creativision wins.”
Well Cr@p!
I’ve been working on my Mac SE/30, and it’s suddenly started making an crackling / arcing noise on startup. This is just after I finally got my SCSI2SD installed and running. Grargh! I guess I’ll have to pull it out and inspect. See if I can see what’s failing 😦
Working on various systems with varying success
Another “this and that” post. Atari 800 I finally got a replacement screen for my SDrive MAX, which has allowed me to actually use it reliably. It’s been great! It looks like, while the compatibility of the memory upgrade isn’t perfect, it’s good enough for many things. This has, however, allowed me to run theContinue reading “Working on various systems with varying success”
Unbreaking things
So having thoroughly broken both my Atari 800xl and my CreatiVision, I decided to spend some of my long weekend fixing them. Atari 800xl I started working on the Atari 800 first. This was actually several days work in the evenings as it got out of hand, as the Atari forums people got involved withContinue reading “Unbreaking things”
A Small Change
A minor change to the Apple IIgs. I purchased a USB Extension cable, with a USB A plug on one end and a USB A socket on the other, complete with mounting holes. This allows me to route the Booti USB port to the outside of the IIgs. It takes standard M2.5 screws, aka “FloppyContinue reading “A Small Change”
Stuff Falls Over
So one of the “joys” of working on all this retro-tech is that you never know if it’s going to work when you turn it on. Two of my systems, despite previously working, have developed faults and will need repairs. Atari 800xl This machine has always had me very wary, as it has been hacked,Continue reading “Stuff Falls Over”
Apple IIgs Question
So I have an Apple IIgs, which is rather nice, but I have noticed that the video from the RGB is a little off in places. Here’s the IIgs boot screen Here’s it zoomed in I’ve seen screengrabs and videos that don’t seem to have this banding. Oddly, in most places it’s perfectly fine. IsContinue reading “Apple IIgs Question”
Plotting out the upgrades
As 2021 is “the year of the peripheral” for me, I thought I’d put down my Month by Month plan for upgrades. January RAMIIgs (Apple IIgs, already fitted) February Z80 Card for Apple II (Apple IIe, second hand, on it’s way) March DDI 5 (Amstrad CPC 464. Sorry Greg!) April Nothing. I’ll be at SwanConContinue reading “Plotting out the upgrades”
Upgrading The Apple IIgs
As the IIgs has become my primary system for experiencing Apple II software, I’ve installed a few upgrades for “quality of life” improvements The first of these is a Booti card. This emulates a Apple II HDD. It’s a rather nifty device that allows me to run hard disk “images” directly from a USB drive.Continue reading “Upgrading The Apple IIgs”
