Machines out of deep storage

Paladin (777)

27-08-2020, 13:55

Today I finally got my machines out of deep storage. What a great day. Look, I've got some boxes!

Let's open them and reveal what's inside.

Well, both machines have yellowed a bit, espacially the Spectravideo keyboard. Overall though, both look to be in good condition. First thing I did was opening up the 8235 to face my biggest fear. Luckily the internal battery hasn't leaked. Phew.

So I gave it a quick spin. The sound coming from the diskdrive tells me that the drive belt has died. No problem, I had plans to put in a Gotek anyway. There seems to be a video issue however, since I got no signal. Hmmm. Reconnecting the scart cable gives me a signal for a split second. Holding the connector makes the signal come back, letting it go makes the signal disappear again. So the Scart connector will need some resoldering. But apart from that, it's working!

Haven't tried the Spectravideo yet, I do have a composite to scart connector, but I couldn't find it for now. Will test it another time.

By meits

Scribe (6577)

27-08-2020, 15:45

I'm curious how a gotek handles 720K DSK files on a 360K diskrom. I have no clue if that diskrom has anything to say in this.

By Jipe

Paragon (1625)

27-08-2020, 16:00

the VG8235 accept a 720k drive on B:

By Briqunullus

Paladin (777)

27-08-2020, 16:52

The diskrom has been replaced in the past, so I don't expect any problems.

However, in all of my excitement, I forgot to ask my questions. First of all, do these machine require any hardware maintenance? They are not on the list of vulnerable hardware, so all capacitators should be fine? The Philips has been in storage for 15-20 years, the Spectravideo for about 30 years.

And secondly, what could be a good battery replacement for the Philips? I'd like the system clock to be working again...

By meits

Scribe (6577)

28-08-2020, 00:25

End of 2019 I bought a 8235 from someone's attic. It had the same diskdrive issue as yours but otherwise works great.
I did cut out the battery though. I do not care for them. Doesn't the battery show its values?

Nice detail about the 8235. It still has this particular smell when it has been switched on for a while. I like it. Smells like the mid 80s

By Briqunullus

Paladin (777)

28-08-2020, 18:41

Today I have tested the Spectravideo. It is working as well. Of course it needs some TLC. The keyboard has to be cleaned internally, some keys have really bad response. The colors seem to be a bit faint, I don't know if this is the composite output or aging components inside. And finally I have played F1 Spirit and the sound seemed to be incomplete. This might be a PSG/SCC balance issue. I'll investigate later.

So, without two much effort, I will have two MSX machines to play with again. Emulators are great, but real hardware just touches your soul!

By Grauw

Ascended (10823)

28-08-2020, 19:53

Briqunullus wrote:

First of all, do these machine require any hardware maintenance? They are not on the list of vulnerable hardware, so all capacitators should be fine? The Philips has been in storage for 15-20 years, the Spectravideo for about 30 years.

Not that I’m aware of. I’m not too familiar with the SVI, but the Philips should be fine aside from the battery and drive belt replacement.

By Briqunullus

Paladin (777)

30-08-2020, 13:38

So I have been playing with the 8235 again. First of all, I have removed the battery. It seems like there isn't a direct replacement and people suggest different alternatives. Like in this thread on the forum. I will leave it out for now.

I have touched all pins of the scart connector with a soldering iron. And behold, there is my video signal. However, I only have an el cheapo scart to hdmi converter at the moment. It works, but I found out it only supports the composite signal and no RGB. And I do not have any sound. Is this because of that converter or do I have to check my soldering skills?

But I did hook up the Gotek succesfully. It's external for now, I will modify the internal connector in the future in order to use it as an internal drive.

By smart duck

Master (158)

30-08-2020, 17:29

The Philips VG8235 was my first computer.
A birthday present from my dad.
Sold the machine later so I could buy an Amiga 500.

In my 30's I bought a 8235 from marktplaats and later a second one on a flea market.
I'm restoring one of the machines now. Needs a new belt and some paint.
@Briqunullus, yours looks better.

By Briqunullus

Paladin (777)

30-08-2020, 18:26

I got the SVI on the test bench again. Last time I connected audio out to a speaker set, this time I used hdmi output. No sound. So it seems the problem is with the converter.

Too bad the Philips doesn't have an audio out. Although I could use the din 8 monitor connector to get an audio signal. But it'll be better to get an hdmi converter that actually has working audio I guess.

By smart duck

Master (158)

30-08-2020, 18:58

Something like this: https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/4000269200114.html ?