Wanted : Acorn Computer Parts / EPROM Programmer / UV Eraser.

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Alex Wilson

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Apr 23, 2016, 10:10:06 PM4/23/16
to Nottingham Hackspace - Nottinghack

Hi All,

But of a long shot but hey worth asking.

As some of you know I'm currently working on refurbishing and repairing some old Acorn machines , ranging from the early Acorn Atom to my A3000 ARM Archimedies RISC machine.

Ultimately I would like to get a small 'Econet' system set up that could be taken into schools and or displayed as working exhibits at computer shows / retro museams.

If anyone has any old Acorn machines that would like a new home then please let me known, ill take anything in any condition. BBC B's , BBC A's , Acorn Electrons , Master 128s , Archimedies and all / everything I between and all variants.

Also required for the same project ....

Does anyone have a EPROM programmer and or UV Eraser capable of programming the 27cXXX series of chips? They want to get rid of or is just gathering dust.

Also would the space be interested in a restored Acorn machine at some stage for display or to wheel out on retro nights, or is space that limited that we couldn't accommodate one?

Anyway hope this is ok to post and doesn't sound too beggy which it probably does :-/

Many Thanks.

Alex :-)

Matthew Walton

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Apr 25, 2016, 6:46:58 AM4/25/16
to Nottingham Hackspace - Nottinghack
In my parents' loft are two BBC Bs. I don't know if they work or not but I've often wondered what to do with them. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on them again, I'd love to know they were being used after all the time I spent with them as a child.

Alex Wilson

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Apr 25, 2016, 1:42:24 PM4/25/16
to Nottingham Hackspace - Nottinghack
I'd love the chance to restore them I've been working in a few , the problem I've found is if stored in garages the circuit boards get really corroded due to cold and damp.

The worst you get in a loft is a few spiders :-)

The capacitors are the first things I change as after 30 years they dry out and go pop with a puff of smoke after about 10 mins use :-)

I'm not sure if I can post pics here or I'd post one that I have just finished restoring , took many many hours but it's practically as new now :-)

Anyway rest assured if they came my way they would be cared for and used :-)

Many Thanks.

Alex :-)

Dylan Swift

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Apr 25, 2016, 4:59:35 PM4/25/16
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Hi Alex.

I have a UV eprom eraser - an ME10, I also have a programmer, but I don't know what its capabilities are - its an ELAN C41, with one or two chip adapters.

pictures attached.

free if you want them

Dylan


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Alex Wilson

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Apr 26, 2016, 4:17:46 AM4/26/16
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Hi Dylan,

Wow that's very generous of you mate thank you.

I'll gladly have both items that's great.

I too am not sure of the capabilities of the Elan but I'd be surprised if it didn't program 27cXX chips. :-)

I'm at the space quite regularly so hopefully can meet up soon.

Many thanks again.

Alex

Alex Wilson

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Apr 26, 2016, 10:41:51 PM4/26/16
to Nottingham Hackspace - Nottinghack
Many thanks for the programmer Dylan.

Self checks ok , but there is a fair bit of corrosion on the PCB where the internal battery has spilt it's guts as they do. :(

Good news is , it all seems fine and easy to clean up and service.

Eraser powers up but not sure if the UV bulb is working , can you tell when it's on? Is the spectrum visible to the naked eye?

However I don't want to override the safety to check so I'll try and wipe a EPROM and see if it's working :-)

How do you tell it's working ??is it just obvious?

Many thanks again,

Owe ya one :-)

Alex

Dylan Swift

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Apr 27, 2016, 1:56:05 AM4/27/16
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Hi Alex.

You're welcome. Hope it proves to be useful in the end.

Dylan


Alex

Alex Wilson

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Apr 27, 2016, 1:07:27 PM4/27/16
to Nottingham Hackspace - Nottinghack
It all looks good , a few components and it should be good to go for years :-)

Many thanks again.

Alex :-)

Alex Wilson

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Apr 27, 2016, 1:07:27 PM4/27/16
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Dylan Swift

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Apr 28, 2016, 4:28:19 AM4/28/16
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You're more than welcome. I look forward to seeing an Acorn Electron / BBC in action again sometime.

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Alex Wilson

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Apr 30, 2016, 9:52:16 AM4/30/16
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Well I took it up to Hackspace yesterday to repair some tracks and test some components , luckily it would appear most of the vital components avoided the battery acid.

Will keep you posted.

As far as a working Beeb / Electron , I have high hopes :-)

Matthew has offered a couple of beebs in his parents loft so hopefully I can restore these and install networking hardware.

My dream is to hold a retro gaming night at Hackspace in the winter with some geek-u-mentaries on the projector hopefully some mega drive action :-)

Just an idea , but could be really cool , what do you guys think?

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