Old computer I can learn to repair?
I just got my first ever oscilloscope (Zoyi ZT-703s) but I have a problem - I don't have any broken computers! :) Anyone have any old computers that are repairable they want to get rid of? Probably something 8-bit just because I'm an absolute beginner. I'm also thinking something more common just because resources will be easier to find. Here's my wish list but I won't look any gift horses in the mouth! 1. Commodore 128 2. Atari 400(xl)/600/800(xl) 3. Apple IIc(+) I've always wanted an Amiga (500) but I'm not sure if that's getting too complicated or not for the scope I got? I'm in the Philadelphia area. -- - Benjamin Krein
Ben, You can learn a lot with a working computer. I would want to start with something known-to-work.so you have control over those variables. To see what a proper circuit looks like on a scope will be useful when you compare to a non working machine Bill On Fri, May 3, 2024, 6:25 PM Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I just got my first ever oscilloscope (Zoyi ZT-703s) but I have a problem - I don't have any broken computers! :) Anyone have any old computers that are repairable they want to get rid of? Probably something 8-bit just because I'm an absolute beginner. I'm also thinking something more common just because resources will be easier to find. Here's my wish list but I won't look any gift horses in the mouth!
1. Commodore 128 2. Atari 400(xl)/600/800(xl) 3. Apple IIc(+)
I've always wanted an Amiga (500) but I'm not sure if that's getting too complicated or not for the scope I got?
I'm in the Philadelphia area.
-- - Benjamin Krein
I just bought this to help me learn how to use an Oscilloscope. https://www.jameco.com/z/WSEDU06-Velleman-Whadda-Oscilloscope-Tutor-Kit-Gene... I haven't used it yet, but it seems promising enough for the price. On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 9:00 PM Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Ben, You can learn a lot with a working computer. I would want to start with something known-to-work.so you have control over those variables. To see what a proper circuit looks like on a scope will be useful when you compare to a non working machine Bill
On Fri, May 3, 2024, 6:25 PM Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I just got my first ever oscilloscope (Zoyi ZT-703s) but I have a problem - I don't have any broken computers! :) Anyone have any old computers that are repairable they want to get rid of? Probably something 8-bit just because I'm an absolute beginner. I'm also thinking something more common just because resources will be easier to find. Here's my wish list but I won't look any gift horses in the mouth!
1. Commodore 128 2. Atari 400(xl)/600/800(xl) 3. Apple IIc(+)
I've always wanted an Amiga (500) but I'm not sure if that's getting too complicated or not for the scope I got?
I'm in the Philadelphia area.
-- - Benjamin Krein
Yeah, I'll learn what I can with the computers I have for sure. There is a motivating reward to fixing something broken though so I thought I'd ask around. That o-scope tutorial kit looks interesting. I wonder if that'd be easy enough to build with spare parts? I'm sure I can simulate plenty of scenarios with various microcontrollers too. All good things I can & will do but those still don't have the same reward of actually bringing something real back to life. On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 10:17 PM James via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I just bought this to help me learn how to use an Oscilloscope.
https://www.jameco.com/z/WSEDU06-Velleman-Whadda-Oscilloscope-Tutor-Kit-Gene...
I haven't used it yet, but it seems promising enough for the price.
On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 9:00 PM Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Ben, You can learn a lot with a working computer. I would want to start with something known-to-work.so you have control over those variables. To see what a proper circuit looks like on a scope will be useful when you compare to a non working machine Bill
On Fri, May 3, 2024, 6:25 PM Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I just got my first ever oscilloscope (Zoyi ZT-703s) but I have a problem - I don't have any broken computers! :) Anyone have any old computers that are repairable they want to get rid of? Probably something 8-bit just because I'm an absolute beginner. I'm also thinking something more common just because resources will be easier to find. Here's my wish list but I won't look any gift horses in the mouth!
1. Commodore 128 2. Atari 400(xl)/600/800(xl) 3. Apple IIc(+)
I've always wanted an Amiga (500) but I'm not sure if that's getting too complicated or not for the scope I got?
I'm in the Philadelphia area.
-- - Benjamin Krein
-- - Benjamin Krein
Personally, I believe that you should learn the basics of the oscilloscopes how to set and configure, how to read and interpret the screen, and then how do use it in a practical application. If the scope does not have a built-in calibration tool, probably your best bet would be to either purchase, or even better, to build one, so the scope can be properly calibrated and you know it is accurate. Yes, of course the calibration source Has to be accurate. Once you’ve done that you can even start with an old handheld a.m. radio that runs off of a couple of AA batteries so that it is completely safe and use the scope to check waveforms while a signal is present and not present, just to get familiar. One of the things you may want to invest in later on and even now it is a MicroProcessor trainer, which you can easily use a scope on and will show you different signals. The Z 80 CPU trainers are fairly cheap. Mike Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
On May 4, 2024, at 8:20 AM, Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Yeah, I'll learn what I can with the computers I have for sure. There is a motivating reward to fixing something broken though so I thought I'd ask around.
That o-scope tutorial kit looks interesting. I wonder if that'd be easy enough to build with spare parts? I'm sure I can simulate plenty of scenarios with various microcontrollers too. All good things I can & will do but those still don't have the same reward of actually bringing something real back to life.
On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 10:17 PM James via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I just bought this to help me learn how to use an Oscilloscope.
https://www.jameco.com/z/WSEDU06-Velleman-Whadda-Oscilloscope-Tutor-Kit-Gene...
I haven't used it yet, but it seems promising enough for the price.
On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 9:00 PM Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Ben, You can learn a lot with a working computer. I would want to start with something known-to-work.so you have control over those variables. To see what a proper circuit looks like on a scope will be useful when you compare to a non working machine Bill
On Fri, May 3, 2024, 6:25 PM Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I just got my first ever oscilloscope (Zoyi ZT-703s) but I have a problem - I don't have any broken computers! :) Anyone have any old computers that are repairable they want to get rid of? Probably something 8-bit just because I'm an absolute beginner. I'm also thinking something more common just because resources will be easier to find. Here's my wish list but I won't look any gift horses in the mouth!
1. Commodore 128 2. Atari 400(xl)/600/800(xl) 3. Apple IIc(+)
I've always wanted an Amiga (500) but I'm not sure if that's getting too complicated or not for the scope I got?
I'm in the Philadelphia area.
-- - Benjamin Krein
-- - Benjamin Krein
Good points. Maybe this is a good time to build Ben Eater’s breadboard 6502? Benjamin Krein Sent from my iPhone
On May 4, 2024, at 8:58 AM, Sentrytv <sentrytv@yahoo.com> wrote:
Personally, I believe that you should learn the basics of the oscilloscopes how to set and configure, how to read and interpret the screen, and then how do use it in a practical application.
If the scope does not have a built-in calibration tool, probably your best bet would be to either purchase, or even better, to build one, so the scope can be properly calibrated and you know it is accurate.
Yes, of course the calibration source Has to be accurate.
Once you’ve done that you can even start with an old handheld a.m. radio that runs off of a couple of AA batteries so that it is completely safe and use the scope to check waveforms while a signal is present and not present, just to get familiar.
One of the things you may want to invest in later on and even now it is a MicroProcessor trainer, which you can easily use a scope on and will show you different signals. The Z 80 CPU trainers are fairly cheap.
Mike
Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
On May 4, 2024, at 8:20 AM, Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Yeah, I'll learn what I can with the computers I have for sure. There is a motivating reward to fixing something broken though so I thought I'd ask around.
That o-scope tutorial kit looks interesting. I wonder if that'd be easy enough to build with spare parts? I'm sure I can simulate plenty of scenarios with various microcontrollers too. All good things I can & will do but those still don't have the same reward of actually bringing something real back to life.
On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 10:17 PM James via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I just bought this to help me learn how to use an Oscilloscope.
https://www.jameco.com/z/WSEDU06-Velleman-Whadda-Oscilloscope-Tutor-Kit-Gene...
I haven't used it yet, but it seems promising enough for the price.
On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 9:00 PM Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Ben, You can learn a lot with a working computer. I would want to start with something known-to-work.so you have control over those variables. To see what a proper circuit looks like on a scope will be useful when you compare to a non working machine Bill
On Fri, May 3, 2024, 6:25 PM Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I just got my first ever oscilloscope (Zoyi ZT-703s) but I have a problem - I don't have any broken computers! :) Anyone have any old computers that are repairable they want to get rid of? Probably something 8-bit just because I'm an absolute beginner. I'm also thinking something more common just because resources will be easier to find. Here's my wish list but I won't look any gift horses in the mouth!
1. Commodore 128 2. Atari 400(xl)/600/800(xl) 3. Apple IIc(+)
I've always wanted an Amiga (500) but I'm not sure if that's getting too complicated or not for the scope I got?
I'm in the Philadelphia area.
-- - Benjamin Krein
-- - Benjamin Krein
First you need to know you are working with a calibrated scope. You should thus test and learn with known working input sources. Using a volt meter or logic probe that you know works. . Building a kit introduces unknowns, makes it harder to know definitively that your signal is for example 5V. Unless your kit building skills are advanced enough that you know you will get it right the first time On Sat, May 4, 2024, 9:08 AM Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Good points. Maybe this is a good time to build Ben Eater’s breadboard 6502?
Benjamin Krein Sent from my iPhone
On May 4, 2024, at 8:58 AM, Sentrytv <sentrytv@yahoo.com> wrote:
Personally, I believe that you should learn the basics of the oscilloscopes how to set and configure, how to read and interpret the screen, and then how do use it in a practical application.
If the scope does not have a built-in calibration tool, probably your best bet would be to either purchase, or even better, to build one, so the scope can be properly calibrated and you know it is accurate.
Yes, of course the calibration source Has to be accurate.
Once you’ve done that you can even start with an old handheld a.m. radio that runs off of a couple of AA batteries so that it is completely safe and use the scope to check waveforms while a signal is present and not present, just to get familiar.
One of the things you may want to invest in later on and even now it is a MicroProcessor trainer, which you can easily use a scope on and will show you different signals. The Z 80 CPU trainers are fairly cheap.
Mike
Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
On May 4, 2024, at 8:20 AM, Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Yeah, I'll learn what I can with the computers I have for sure. There is a motivating reward to fixing something broken though so I thought I'd ask around.
That o-scope tutorial kit looks interesting. I wonder if that'd be easy enough to build with spare parts? I'm sure I can simulate plenty of scenarios with various microcontrollers too. All good things I can & will do but those still don't have the same reward of actually bringing something real back to life.
On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 10:17 PM James via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I just bought this to help me learn how to use an Oscilloscope.
https://www.jameco.com/z/WSEDU06-Velleman-Whadda-Oscilloscope-Tutor-Kit-Gene...
I haven't used it yet, but it seems promising enough for the price.
On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 9:00 PM Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Ben, You can learn a lot with a working computer. I would want to start
with
something known-to-work.so you have control over those variables. To see what a proper circuit looks like on a scope will be useful when you compare to a non working machine Bill
On Fri, May 3, 2024, 6:25 PM Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I just got my first ever oscilloscope (Zoyi ZT-703s) but I have a problem - I don't have any broken computers! :) Anyone have any old computers that are repairable they want to get rid of? Probably something 8-bit just because I'm an absolute beginner. I'm also thinking something more common just because resources will be easier to find. Here's my wish list but I won't look any gift horses in the mouth!
1. Commodore 128 2. Atari 400(xl)/600/800(xl) 3. Apple IIc(+)
I've always wanted an Amiga (500) but I'm not sure if that's getting too complicated or not for the scope I got?
I'm in the Philadelphia area.
-- - Benjamin Krein
-- - Benjamin Krein
Come to a workshop at infoage and work with someone. Maybe they can show you how to make measurements/diagnose using your scope on their repair. On 5/3/2024 6:23 PM, Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
I just got my first ever oscilloscope (Zoyi ZT-703s) but I have a problem - I don't have any broken computers! :) Anyone have any old computers that are repairable they want to get rid of? Probably something 8-bit just because I'm an absolute beginner. I'm also thinking something more common just because resources will be easier to find. Here's my wish list but I won't look any gift horses in the mouth!
1. Commodore 128 2. Atari 400(xl)/600/800(xl) 3. Apple IIc(+)
I've always wanted an Amiga (500) but I'm not sure if that's getting too complicated or not for the scope I got?
I'm in the Philadelphia area.
-- Douglas Crawford VCF Mid-Atlantic Museum Mgr InfoAge Science & History Museums 2201 Marconi Road Wall, NJ 07719
I agree, working hands-on with someone knowledgeable by your side is ideal. I also recommend doing that with an older scope to get familiar with conventional controls. On Sat, May 4, 2024 at 12:00 PM Douglas Crawford via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Come to a workshop at infoage and work with someone. Maybe they can show you how to make measurements/diagnose using your scope on their repair.
On 5/3/2024 6:23 PM, Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
I just got my first ever oscilloscope (Zoyi ZT-703s) but I have a problem - I don't have any broken computers! :) Anyone have any old computers that are repairable they want to get rid of? Probably something 8-bit just because I'm an absolute beginner. I'm also thinking something more common just because resources will be easier to find. Here's my wish list but I won't look any gift horses in the mouth!
1. Commodore 128 2. Atari 400(xl)/600/800(xl) 3. Apple IIc(+)
I've always wanted an Amiga (500) but I'm not sure if that's getting too complicated or not for the scope I got?
I'm in the Philadelphia area.
-- Douglas Crawford VCF Mid-Atlantic Museum Mgr InfoAge Science & History Museums 2201 Marconi Road Wall, NJ 07719
participants (6)
-
Benjamin Krein -
Bill Degnan -
Chris Fala -
Douglas Crawford -
James -
Sentrytv