- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] vcf-midatlantic Digest, Vol 88, Issue 1
by bernieS 02 Sep '25

02 Sep '25

At 08:00 AM 9/2/2025, vcf-midatlantic-request(a)lists.vcfed.org wrote: >Message: 1 >Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2025 01:01:04 -0400 >From: Anthony Iannone <aiannone(a)nis.gs> >To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org >Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] Help with older HP LaserJet printers > >[...] > >I have two HP LaserJet 4P printers, both in decent condition, and both >exhibiting the same exact problem - the printer passes all self tests >and everything works perfectly EXCEPT printer output pages are >completely blank or have only the slightest sheen of gray toner >background. Forcing an engine test with the formatter board disconnected >yields the same results. > >I have swapped parts between printers, tried a brand new-old-stock toner >cartridge in both units, and even tried replacing the laser scanner with >a supposedly known good laser scanner assembly. None of these steps have >worked. The service manual suggests final step would be replacing the >high voltage board, but short of finding another donor printer, I >haven't been able to locate one. Having troubleshooted hundreds of HP LaserJet printers back in the day (including the HP LJ 4P) I suspect this issue is a failed high-voltage power supply. There are several vendors of new/used/refurbished HP LJ parts that you can find online, and I'd be surprised if you couldn't find that part from any of them. You could also try reseating that assy, and try yet another NOS toner cartridge. Two printers with that same HVPS issue seems unlikely. -bernieS

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Help with older HP LaserJet printers
by Anthony Iannone 02 Sep '25

02 Sep '25

Hello all, Long time lurker and reader here who has enjoyed visiting many VCF East and swap meet events. I am hoping the hive mind can assist me with solving a tricky problem I am having repairing a pair of HP LaserJet 4P printers. I have two HP LaserJet 4P printers, both in decent condition, and both exhibiting the same exact problem - the printer passes all self tests and everything works perfectly EXCEPT printer output pages are completely blank or have only the slightest sheen of gray toner background. Forcing an engine test with the formatter board disconnected yields the same results. I have swapped parts between printers, tried a brand new-old-stock toner cartridge in both units, and even tried replacing the laser scanner with a supposedly known good laser scanner assembly. None of these steps have worked. The service manual suggests final step would be replacing the high voltage board, but short of finding another donor printer, I haven't been able to locate one. I've reached the end of my ability to troubleshoot these units, and am perplexed that both appear to be suffering from the same (possibly age related?) failure. Can anyone here on the list offer any suggestions or help? I'd be happy to haul the printers to the next repair session if anyone here thinks they can further diagnose or troubleshoot the issue. Thanks in advance for any help! Warmest Regards, Anthony Iannone aiannone(a)nis.gs

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Jerryco/American Science and Surplus is closing
by Jeffrey Jonas 29 Aug '25

29 Aug '25

Their catalogues were always a fun read with such silly writeups. https://sciplus.com/important-information/ It is with a very heavy heart that we are writing to tell you that it's time to say goodbye. The next two weeks, up until September 7th

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OT: Software Freedom Day.
by murph 26 Aug '25

26 Aug '25

We're having an event for Software Freedom Day. It is a world-wide educational event, and we are having one right here at Montclair State University. We'll have talks about what free software is, and why it's important for everyone. What kind of software is available for your existing computer, and how you can use Free Software to use your computer past the date that the manufacturer wants to keep updating it. There will be a talk on self hosting, so that you can run services that reduce or replace your reliance on outside big tech companies, and keep better control of your data. There will also be a talk on Social Networking with free software called "Mastodon and the Fediverse" that will show how you can network with people without giving your data to big tech, and without the algorithms that don't work in your best interest. --- For a general computer user -- You might be thinking. "I get software for free all the time, it come with my computer, and there are lots of free services that I can get over the internet. We're talking about software that is free as in Freedom. Free to use, improve and share, and software that does not require a subscription or ads from an outside source. --- For an aspiring developer --- What is the point of worrying about licensing my software, does it matter? If you choose a Free Software license for your software can get community help in developing it, you can get wider acceptance in community projects without losing control of it, and contribute to the community of computer users. There is a huge variety of software out there, and we'd like to take some time to tell people about it. This is a community event, and we'd love to see people from all over come out! Here are some links for more information: https://softwarefreedom.neocities.org/ also, the foundation site https://digitalfreedoms.org/en/software-freedom-day/events/software-freedom… If you have any questions, please email myself at: sfd(a)murph.info Or my colleague Mars at: mxu(a)uribe.cc We'll be happy to discuss any details.

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VCF on the Road: Game Con Live
by Jeffrey Brace 26 Aug '25

26 Aug '25

The next event VCF will have an "on the road" exhibit will be Oct. 11 & 12 in Oaks, PA. Four of us are going to do vintage computer game exhibits. Here is more info: https://gameconlive.com/ Has anyone been to this event? Take care! Jeff Brace VCF Evangelist

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OT: Maker Faire Sussex County
by Jeffrey Brace 26 Aug '25

26 Aug '25

Has anyone been to or know anything about how big an event this is? https://sussexcounty.makerfaire.com/ Jeff Brace

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My Apple I reproduction is working!
by Neil Cherry 20 Aug '25

20 Aug '25

Manage to get myself somehow dragged into building Apple Is because I wanted a 6800 version. That was the start of trouble! So I bought 2 bare PCBs and planned to build a 6502 and 6800 version. Had I done some research before hand I would have found I could have bought many vintage computers for the price of the various parts of the Apple I and we're not talking date correct parts just the necessary parts. But at the same time I happened on an unloved more than complet Apple I reproduction that wasn't running. So I bid and won at a more than reasonable price, half as much as a working complete reproduction and less than buying the parts. Well I diagnosed the bad chip, a 2519 ($70+). I used a replacement board with parts that are available and I now can program like it was 1976. :-) I threw some quick photos up on: https://ushomeautomation.com/Projects/Vintage/Apple1/index.html Yes, the Commodore monitor needs a bit of TLC. I'll get to it ... eventually. ;-) -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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HOPE_16 (2025)
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Aug '25

19 Aug '25

Hope took place this past weekend. There were four volunteers: Doug Crawford Jeff Brace Jeff Jonas Joe Giliberti We had spent many weeks preparing for this event. We were there all three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and felt that we were successful in connecting with our existing fans as well as letting many others learn about our organization and events. The trainers that we had set up were a hit with this audience. There were some that sat down and spent the 10 to 15 minutes to code the program into the HeathKit. We shared one of our tables with Lee Felsenstein. He was promoting his book, t-shirts and posters. He spent a lot of time talking to fans who stopped by our table. There were people of all shapes, sizes, ages and genders. It was a diverse audience of hackers. I was able to catch one or two talks as well as participate in the "Hackers Got Talent" competition. (I got 2nd place). I will share pictures later after I've decompressed a bit. It was a good weekend, but very exhausting. Take care! Jeff Brace VCF Evangelist

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Wanted: FD1791
by Mike Loewen 17 Aug '25

17 Aug '25

Does anyone have a spare FD1791 FDC for sale? Please reply off-list. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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VCF/MARCH At HOPE this weekend Aug 15-17
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Aug '25

14 Aug '25

VCF/MARCH will have 5 tables this weekend at HOPE (hope.net) in Jamaica, Queens at St. John's University. Please stop by if you are in the area! *Volunteers*: Doug Crawford, Jeff Jonas, Joe Giliberti, Jeff Brace. *List of artifacts on display:* Lawrence Livermore (in a briefcase), 8080 processor. Heathkit trainer ET 3400. TTL Trainer Devry Trainer 555 Timer HP 5036-A TRS-80 Model III or IV Commodore PET IBM P-70 - Luggage IBM Portable - 5140 Pong! Atari 5200 Bally Astrocade Fairchild Channel F We will be promoting our events and local group. Jeff Brace

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