- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Joystick Repair Epyx 500XJ
by Todd George 29 Dec '15

29 Dec '15

> > Date: Sun, 20 Dec 2015 23:00:34 -0500 > From: Jeffrey Brace <ark72axow(a)gmail.com> > > Does anyone have experience repairing joysticks? I have an Epyx 500XJ that > doesn't respond well to the left direction. I'm just wondering if this is > something that is repairable. All of the Epyx 500XJ's I've had trouble with (so far) have been plastic casing-related (cracks, stressed supports, etc.). The internal design of this joystick is less than robust considering the weak plastic tabs they use to hold the switch assembly in place. It's also inconvenient to repair as everything is curved, etc. Makes manually manufacturing replacement parts (via Dremel, etc.) more of an artform than I usually prefer. The switches are mounted on a plastic plate that is sort of suspended inside the joystick. That said, have you disassembled it to see if there is something wrong with the plastic switch plate? I'm wondering if the switch is just physically moving out of the way or something? > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 00:35:51 -0500 > From: Ian Primus <ian.primus.ccmp(a)gmail.com> > > Yes, it is repairable, I've fixed a few - you can replace the > individual switches, and you can also clean them. Disassembling the > 500XJ is a bit tricky, because of that red/black sticker that holds it > together. When I've repaired these, I just slice through the sticker > at the seam with a knife, it's not too noticeable once reassembled. > Also, the switches that these use are a relatively "standard" size and type of microswitch. With a few quick measurements of the physical dimensions of the switch, finding a suitable replacement should be pretty easy. If memory serves, I don't think they are quite as large as the ones used in arcade buttons and sticks but you will find similar switches used in pinball machines. > Take the stick apart, and find the faulty switch. Try to get as much > isopropyl alcohol inside the switch as possible (sometimes I even > submerge it in a little cup), and click it repeatedly, and firmly, for > at least a minute. Let it dry thoroughly, and check it with a > multimeter - most of the time, this will fix it. If this doesn't work, I've also had luck rebuilding microswitches. Some are easily serviced and the plastic halves of the switch casing will pull apart held only by friction, some have little plastic tabs that a diagonal cutter makes quick work of. Then you can use a soldering iron to "re-weld" the plastic tabs when you've completed the rebuild. Some are glued, and much harder to repair. I had a particularly stubborn microswitch on a coin counter, it was a truly bizarre size, and it was glued shut. I carefully broke it open with a combination of ginger Dremel use and some elbow grease, once I repaired the contacts, I simply used the original mounting screws to hold it all together. It'll be fine until someone else takes it apart. :) Once you have the switch itself apart, you will see the two contacts that make the whole thing work. Generally, they are set up as a "self-cleaning" style of contact where the switch action causes a wiping motion that scrapes the contacts together generating a small amount of friction that causes dirt and debris to be knocked away. This works well until corrosion sets in. There are a variety of ways to clean the contacts, the most success I've had has been with business cards and light pressure, pinch the card stock between the contacts and rub. Step up to more harsh methods from there. If the contacts are gold in color, stay away from abrasives. You can also use contact cleaners and the like. Sometimes it's just not worth it, and the switch should be replaced. They aren't overly expensive generally speaking. Good luck! -Todd

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Let's add value to the club to the club, and have fun doing it!!!
by Joseph Oprysko 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

Evan, Thank you. I was really just trying to start a conversation about ways to improve the the club, bring in more sponsors, both individual and corporate, get our name more widely known, and eventually, have us having a snazzy looking museum like the CHS has on the West Coast.. ;) Have you SEEN that place!! It’s like the kind of place where you’d expect to be able to buy a 3.5” floppy disk converted to a wall clock where the proceeds go to the museum. Maybe we could/should do “cute” little things like that with old/bad pieces of scrap as a fund raiser.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Legacy 1.2 Disk Reformats Dos 4.01 to XP
by Evan Koblentz 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

>> For whatever reason, my DOS 4.01 will not reformat 1.2 mb diskettes - 5-1/4" floppies. Hello, Looks like you're new to our group. Please introduce yourself. Thanks!

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Legacy 1.2 Disk Reformats Dos 4.01 to XP
by M 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

For whatever reason, my DOS 4.01 will not reformat 1.2 mb diskettes - 5-1/4" floppies. If I pull that drive from my 286 and put a USB adapter on it along with a 4 prong power cable from another system's power source, will XP be able to get the job done? Or won't that recognize 1.2 drives? Also, I don't think this can be done, but can I bulk erase the 1.2 disks with a magnet, then reformat? It seems to have failed on a 360k 5-1/4 disk. Thanks..... PS will 286 clone PC's be worth anything one day? Last time I checked a working B&W television from the late 1940s to 50s, Admiral or Halicrafter for example, were going around $700. Driven by scarcity.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] newbie
by Fred Terry 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

Hello All, I have subscribed to VCF/Mid-Atlantic. I own an IMSAI 80/30 with a Persci 277 drive and a Diablo wide traction printer. These were purchased new in 1978 for the purpose of writing survey and civil engineering software. I successfully used this system for a number of years but retired it for one of the newer DOS based computers. After years of storage, I recently dusted the moth balls from my vintage IMSAI only to discover it will no longer boot. I am severely challenged when it comes to trouble shooting problems I am at a loss as to how to revive my computer. I have all the manuals that came with my purchase making a stack almost a foot high but they might just as well be written in a foreign language. I hope to find someone in the VCF/Mid-Atlantic living close to me that could shed some light on what my problem might be. All the computer repair people think a S-100 bus is something you ride to work in the morning and raised an eyebrow at the mention of an 8" floppy disc. I didn't realize so much time has passed. I live just north of Baltimore in Timonium Maryland only a few miles from I-83. Please get in touch if you would want to lend a hand reviving my IMSAI. I look forward to learning about the VCF/Mid-Atlantic and perhaps meeting some of the members. This is all new to me so i'll try not to embarrass myself by making stupid comments or something similar. For many years I restored early Corvettes but have emptied my shop and now only make a few reproduction parts. Please be in touch, Fred Terry

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VCF East 6.0 talks are online
by Evan Koblentz 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

The first batch of old videos are online, thanks to the grunt work of Kevin Savetz (and original recording by Dave Sica). Playlist is at https://t.co/yYRr7rP7R4 ... enjoy! There will be much more soon. :)

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Floppy Days #50 - TI-99 History with Jim Fetzner and Mark Wills
by Randall Kindig 27 Dec '15

27 Dec '15

http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-50-ti-99-history <http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-50-ti-99-history> The TI-99/4A - History, with Jim Fetzner and Mark Wills This is the second in a multi-part series on the TI-99/4A computer. For this history segment, I was lucky enough to find a couple of people who have an incredible history with the TI-99, Jim Fetzner and Mark Wills. Jim has an extensive, multilingual library of all things TI and possesses some very interesting hardware items related to the TI-99. Mark is the author of TurboForth for the TI-99/4A and has been involved in the TI-99/4A scene pretty much since 1983. He’s also English, living in the UK, so he has a rather British take on the home computer wars. I will cover TI-99 history with the help of these two gentlemen. I think you will find this very interesting! Randy Kindig host Floppy Days Podcast, floppydays.com <http://floppydays.com/>

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Fred, welcome to the group!
by Joseph Oprysko 27 Dec '15

27 Dec '15

Unfortunately, I can't tell you what bus to take to work. ;). lol. I never really got the chance to work with S-100 based systems. I live outside of Philly. I'm mostly into 80's PC's and have a plethora of useless knowledge to most people. But people in this hobby well, I tend to have a bit more in common with. ;) it's nice to have people to talk to who know what you're talking about. It's a fun and comfortable place to chat and let your geek out. -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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Videos! People get ready....
by Evan Koblentz 27 Dec '15

27 Dec '15

The time has come to post a boatload of old VCF East lectures on the Intertubes. (Translated: someone stepped forward to do the grunt work -- our good friend Kevin Savetz of AtariPodcast.com fame.) There will be several batches of uploads during the next few weeks.

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forum vs email, was "Let's add value . . ."
by William Dudley 26 Dec '15

26 Dec '15

I have to visit a forum to see what's new. That means I have to schedule the effort. Email is a "push notification" system, and as Dave McGuire said, "the interrupt-driven nature of a mailing list tends to be a lot more efficient". If this mailing list uses mailman software, then there is a searchable web archive of all posts, such that somebody can treat it like a forum if the are so inclined. Just click on "sort by thread". Bill Dudley This email is probably free of malware because I run Linux.

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