Amiga 1000 Resurrection Rebuild

Bought an Amiga 1000 (because I always wanted one) for relatively cheap on Ebay and it said 'It Runs'.

Yeah, right.

The power supply fan runs. Short story: no 12V output due to a bad 3122V.

No video or anything yet, 3122V on order.

Went ahead and replaced about half the electrolytics on the power supply with what I had.

All other voltages present and looked ok or close enough to work. IIRC -12V was 10.something.

Of course, it had really been parted out because the seller was an idiot.

Missing floppy, missing floppy cable, missing floppy mount...smelled a bit like cigarette smoke.

10/13/2019:

Power supply repair completed with 3122V. All voltages slightly above the rating so they should be good under load but I haven't checked yet.

It does boot to a white screen and I get the boot tones.

I modded a Panasonic JU-256A227P floppy drive according to the instructions I found for a JU-257A607P so we'll see on that.

Need a keyboard first to boot at all.

I accidentally lifted the trace above the pin so I just solder globbed the lifted trace to the pin. Really need some fine Kapton wire for this sort of stuff...below is the original instruction photo.

How to Mute a Chrome Window / Tab

This is great if you have to do an online course or whatever with mandatory watch times.

If you don't want to listen to the audio but maybe just kinda watch it while you Netflix, it's easy.

I'm using Chrome on Mac OS X 10.13 (doesn't matter) build 76.0.3809.100.

Just right click the tab and select 'Mute Site'. 

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1988 C4 Corvette Rear Shock/Strut Replacement. I used Bilstein.

Good instructions. Better than Bilstein's. IIRC for 1988: top rear bracket torque 22 ft/lbs, knuckle 61 ft/lbs. Also for the old strut you can use a 1/4 in wrench to hold the strut from turning vs. vice grips.

Check your manual.

1988 Lugnuts 100ft lbs, again IIRC. 80 for the spare.

PLEASE use my Amazon link. I get a little commission and it helps support my reviews:

Click the pic to buy the exact ones I got.

At the time of writing they were under $90 each. The rubber was all uprated and larger pieces. The old one didn't have a self locking nut. Nice upgrades.

FIX: Virtual Box and FreeDOS 1.2 ISO Invalid Opcode errors when booting for install

Here's what the FreeDOS page says to do:

"When you boot the FreeDOS install CDROM, when you get the get the first "Welcome to FreeDOS 1.2" boot menu, press Tab when you're on "Install to harddisk" and add 'raw' (without quotes) to the kernel command line, then press Enter to boot.

From this:
KERNEL /boot/syslinux/memdisk

To this:
KERNEL /boot/syslinux/memdisk raw"

So all this means is push tab, type 'raw' (without quotes) and press Enter. 

But the command line looks like this when it pops up:

Pretty much nothing like what the FreeDOS site says, unless you're a linux geek. 

Which is why people still hate Linux.

Note: you will have to hit 'tab' and enter 'raw' at the end every time the VM reboots during the install such as after it partitions your virtual disk.

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Connecting Apple IIgs to your Mac Pro for File Sharing

Specifically this is just to clarify some settings for the LocalTalk Bridge 2.1 Control Panel. It works for me.

As you can see, AppleTalk is set to use Ethernet per the notes at http://ivanx.com/a2server/a2server_lan.html.

But it didn't say what to set as far as the Public/Private setting for the control panel.

My home Ethernet is 192.168.29.xxx so it's private but since LocalTalk can't use TCP/IP on classic Macs and the IIgs (AFAIK) I think it just really means 'can anyone use the bridge', so it's set to yes.

Other specs:
Beige G3 running Mac OS 9.2.2 natively, Localtalk over phonenet with terminators (Farallon but none of that really matters), Apple IIgs on GSOS 6.0.4.

I can see both my VirtualBox shares and the shares of my G3 on my IIgs. G3 is in the middle as the bridge of course. It's a good middle of the road machine for Classic work in the modern world as it still has most of the ports, IDE interfaces, mine's got USB, it's got a floppy that can read and write at least 800K (although IIRC later OSes have issues with ProDOS). I usually just use HFS 800K if I have to.

Want to thank me for my work? Click the Paypal link on the right side that says 'Buy me a Cup of Coffee' or because I like to make things easier, here's a Patreon Link:

https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=8784167

Questions? I do respond to comments.

Apple II GS/OS *WITHOUT* a Hard Drive! RAMDISK!

Support us by using this link to buy IIgs stuff on Ebay: IIGS items on Ebay

Or 'Buy Me Some Coffee' on the right side of this page with the PayPal Link.

I downloaded and made the 6.0.4 floppies, and then used Flashboot to install it to the RAMDISK. I have a 4MB Applied Engineering RAMDISK and even with a few add-ins over the basics, I have about 800K left.

Instructions can be clicked. They work. Some differences in verbiage vs. what the screen says, but pretty obvious. Comment if you have questions.

Acer G73jh Windows 10 Notes

I sold this laptop but this post still might help. Turns out the motherboard supposedly had a hairline crack in it.

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/nb/Apps_for_Win10/ATKPackage/ATKPackage_Win10_64_VER100039.zip

Windows 10 ATK Version.

Then do the regedit:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/insider_wintp-insider_devices/no-brightness-control-in-windows-10-tp/ce540918-7bb9-4ae4-9814-753023675d53

Notes:

Set 90% max cpu in power plan seems to help
turn turbo off in bios

throttlestop 8.7 settings

Acer Nitro 5 BSOD Notes.

Update 22 May 2019: I think it's a bad RAM piece. IIRC in the last week I've only seen one driver restart 'black screen flash'. I also updated the Radeon software.

Frustrating that memtest didn't see any bad RAM. This is a long drawn out process.

I removed the OEM RAM stick and put an identical piece I'd purchased to expand the memory with in it's place. Seems WAY more stable.

Furmark ran without any artifacts noted for over 24 hrs off the Vega GPU. I wanted to use that since it uses system RAM which is the suspect.

Sloppy notes:

515-42 model, RX 560X and Ryzen 5.

Following instructions here. https://community.amd.com/docs/DOC-1641

I noted that Visual C++ had installed a 2015 and 2017 version on my laptop but the MS download page says 2015-2019 share the same distributable so I wonder if that was the issue.

After uninstalling and reinstalling those I ended up with 2005 version 4, 2012 x64/x86 and the 2017 x64/x86.

Links for 2005 and 2012 IIRC I had to google for.

Latest attempt: GPU scaling on.

It black screen flashes (Windows driver restart due to non responsiveness) too.

Furmark, Memtest, etc. have revealed no artifacts/memory issues yet. What's weird is it doesn't do it in games at higher temps so I'm hoping it's a windows GUI issue which is where it happens...usually just while using chrome...

BSOD changed from

Video TDR Failure (atikmpag.sys)

(IIRC) to a different issue after the instructions at https://community.amd.com/docs/DOC-1641 and since then I turned on GPU scaling...

Screen Sharing Between Classic Mac and OS X

This is a work in progress, but I've found what I *THINK* is going to be about the best method:

Setup Sheepshaver on OS X, and install Timbuktu Pro on that virtual machine, and also on your real PowerMac hardware or what have you.

I was lucky to get a CD of Timbuktu and Manual on Ebay for $9!

Please don't pirate if you can avoid it, although in this case, actual copies can be expensive and the company doesn't sell it any more so it's tricky. :)

One thing that threw me for a second: I had 7.5.5 installed on Sheepshaver and the Timbuktu installer complained that I needed 7.5...just tell it the correct drive that 7.5.5 is on in the dropdown. :)

Please use this link to search for Timbuktu Pro on Ebay, we get a little commission, which is why I write these articles and it helps me pay for the stuff I write about:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2380057.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xtimbuktu%2Bpro.TRS0%26_nkw%3Dtimbuktu%2Bpro%26_sacat%3D0&campid=5337534429&toolid=20008

Here's an Amazon search link:

https://amzn.to/2FKvvdV

And if you're really nice, book mark this page: AmAmZin.com that has an Amazon Search box. If you start your shopping trips there, I get a little check from whatever you buy.

Misc Notes:

VNC Server on Mac OS 9 doesn't work very well. Kinda gave up.
Netpresenz for FTPingon Mac OS 9 works ok but for some reason doesn't like .sea.bin files, I think it's trying to extract on the MAc for some reason but fails processing the .sea part. .smi.bin and other files work fine.
...so these reasons are why I'm trying Timbuktu Pro.

More to come on this subject! Will update as it progresses.

Apple Mail Version 11.5 (3445.9.1) and kmttg / Java Interfere with setting up account?

Weird one.

I think kmttg did not fully open it's window at launch.

When I hovered my mouse over the pane on 'Internet Accounts' in "System Preferences" that asks you if you use Mail / Contacts / Calendars / Notes, I got the popup tooltips for kmttg!

Can't replicate this as I got all my accounts set up by killing that task and now Apple Mail works again.

Weird...as...crap.

And how my brain figures this stuff out, I don't know.

But I can say that killing the kmttg taks terminal window let me complete account setup.

Before, it would just hang with the grey gear looking spinner after selecting what items you use on that account and all you could do was hit the 'Cancel' button.

Versions:
OS X 10.13
Java Version 8 Update 191 (build 1.8.0_191-b12)
kmttg 1.1p

Getting a 'Restored' Powermac 6100 up and connected.

SCSI2SD / PowerMac 6100 / 68k Mac Notes (This one's gonna be a long and winding one.)

Got a 0000000R 00000069 sad mac on booting OS 9.1 install CD on your Powermac 6100? Starting from CD gave this error message on mine.

It's a 'Not for Resale' copy but I think it's the same as retail. I think this is because OS 9 requires 32MB memory and I only had 10MB. After I upgraded with 2x64MB sticks, for a total of 136MB RAM, it would then boot from CD.

It's silly but you can't run the installer from within anything less than OS 8 I believe, so you must boot from the CD THEN run the installer.

It's still a slow machine on 7.5.5...but it's 24 years old which is like a few hundred in computer years.

Misc notes:
Don't be a numbskull and use System Picker to choose 6.0.8 and then try to boot a Powermac 6100. Too old. It requires at least system 7, like 7.0.2 but you can Google the minimum. :)

If you make a second SCSI drive on the SCSI2SD over 1GB IIRC, it won't be seen by 68K macs that I've got, up to the Classic. Powermac 6100 sees it fine.

No video on Powermac 6100: no PRAM battery or battery dead. Power it on, off, then on quickly.
Get a new battery on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SCxDaN This SHOULD be it. I ordered, waiting on it.

Disk Copy won't use an external USB to make copies. It has to sense the inject of the floppy it's writing. Beige G3, Mac OS 9.2.2. Or at least, it didn't work with mine. Interesting note: writing a floppy successfully then reading it back in produces a different checksum than the original image. Observed 3 times in a row on different floppies. Interesting philosophy.

Netpresenz Notes (NP for short):
I downloaded Netpresenz which runs on Mac OS 7/8/9. "NetPresenz is a Classic Macintosh implementation of the WWW, Gopher and FTP server protocols. It is compatible with most web browsers and FTP clients. It allows your Mac to act as an FTP server so you (and others) can access your files from anywhere around the world. You can also host a web site directly from your computer."

I got it working with Cyberduck so I can just drop files to the 6100...some transfers fail but beats floppies and CDs...

If you get a -3205 Error on Netpresenz "Failed to Startup" it's because you don't have a network connection. I got it when my network switch freaked out and lit up all the ports. Power cycling fixed it but I chased this one a long time before I noticed all the lights were lit on the switch.

I had an OS 8.6 install from a G3 on Ebay that didn't work well with NP. 9.1 fresh and 9.2.2 fresh installs on 6100 and G3 worked pretty well.

Need a SCSI2SD? I got the 5.1 which works pretty well and it's a good bit faster than a hard drive.

Yeah, they're long links but we get a referral commission so please use them so I can keep blogging about the toys I buy.

Click here to search ebay for SCSI2SD:
 https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2334524.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xscsi2sd.TRS0%26_nkw%3Dscsi2sd%26_sacat%3D0%26LH_TitleDesc%3D0%26_osacat%3D0%26_odkw%3Dscsu2SD&campid=5337534429&toolid=20008

You'll want more RAM for your 6100 so Ebay time:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm570.l1313%26_nkw%3D64%2B72pin%2Bsimm%26_sacat%3D0&campid=5337534429&toolid=20008

Get 2 sticks of 64MB RAM. I got a set for $14 shipped. Might as well max it out. This will give you 136MB total. Note: nothing I've seen says 128mb SIMMs will work. Two reputable places (one selling them) say it won't so don't get overambitious.

Why am I messing with a 6100? It has Localtalk and AAUI so it can have Ethernet as well. So it can bridge my Mac Pro and Classic Macs. Also it has the Superdrive floppy, so I can work with older floppies. It can run 7.5.5

So you'll need an AAUI Adapter to connect to Ethernet: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm570.l1313%26_nkw%3Daaui%2B10baseT%2Bapple%26_sacat%3D0%26LH_TitleDesc%3D0%26_sop%3D15%26_osacat%3D0%26_odkw%3Daaui%2Bethernet%2Bapple%26LH_TitleDesc%3D0&campid=5337534429&toolid=20008


Here's something that's handy: a USB floppy. It STILL WORKS on my Mac Pro running High Sierra, and the 6100 can format PS disks under 7.5.5

So hit Ebay for a VST one since they have cool 90's iMac colors: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2334524.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.Xvst%2Bfloppy.TRS0%26_nkw%3Dvst%2Bfloppy%26_sacat%3D0%26LH_TitleDesc%3D0%26_osacat%3D0%26_odkw%3D128mb%2B72pin%2Bsimm%26LH_TitleDesc%3D0&campid=5337534429&toolid=20008

Note: Sometimes you have to unplug and replug it to get it to recognize a floppy (and you should still use the eject button on the Finder first) but it's still a handy piece of tech that overlaps 1994 and 2018.

I have the graphite one but if grape's your thing, do that.

Misc 6100 Issues:

HAHA! The second SIMM was ANOTHER ROM. It had TWO in it. Someone didn't know what they were doing! So instead of an L2 caches and a ROM it had two ROMs. Check that if your machine feels slow.

$5 Vouchers Free on Ebay: I didn't know this!

I didn't know you could report an item as late arriving and Ebay will give you free money.

It's about THREE CLICKS and it showed up instantly.

They're good for 30 days.

Full text and how to get it is on Ebay's site here:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fpages.ebay.com%2Fshipping%2Fguaranteed-delivery.html&campid=5337534429&toolid=20008

Now to scroll through my purchases and see what else didn't arrive on time....:)

Easy Fix for Atari 7800 Buttons Not Working

Disclaimer: don't blame me if you break it.

You'll need a phillips screwdriver, rubbing alcohol (highest percentage you can find...preferably denatured), q-tips, and a can of compressed air.

First, you'll need to open your Atari 7800. There are 5 (IIRC) screws on the bottom. Once you remove them all, turn it topside up and lift off the top.

Inside you'll see some buttons like this:

All you have to do is dip the q tip in the rubbing alcohol and saturate the black center part. You'll see some liquid in the white part.

Click it a few dozen times to clean it out. Use the compressed air to gently blow out the liquid and let it dry.

Test it before you reassemble it.

This fixed mine.

Looking for Atari 7800 stuff? Please try one of these links and support my blog. We get a commission:

Ebay

Amazon

Here's some compressed air: https://amzn.to/2JgzAq8

Mac Audio Output Stops Working Sometimes

Update May 2019:  Happened again but this time I had to toggle it a few times. I.e. start dictation then click done. After that took a few seconds for audio to come back.

This was driving me nuts. Turns out I was triggering the voice dictation by accident.

I have mine set to a double tap on the Command key to turn it on. But every once in a while it would turn on and I would miss the 'doink' sound effect cluing me in.

Look for this icon on your screen:

Click 'Done' and you're done and back to listening to classic 80s hair metal.

Pick up some batteries for that onboard CMOS battery you never change while you're here.