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in progress (workbench)
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Yamaha Portasound PS-3
- bio: a neat little keyboard from the early to mid(???) '80s. uses square waves with various filtering (and set duty cycles?) to get the sounds. also has an absolutely sweet drum machine (with 4 styles) and a nifty Auto Bass Chord arpeggiator.
- diagnosis: it came in with a corroded C battery suck in the compartment, but had working power through the AC adapter. all keys and voices working, but several were crackly and required wiggling and repeated pressing to "clear up". volume's a little shaky. only able to get 1 or 2 rhythms working (and required firm pressing on their switches). after teardown: battery compartment full of corrosion, but no components were obviously toast. cautiously optimistic that it just needs its contacts cleaned and some dust blown out.
- status: currently has its guts splayed across my workbench and around the room. desoldered the (corroded) battery terminals, tore down the rest as far as it would go without any other desoldering. scrubbed the terminals and case with vinegar to clean up corrosion, scrubbed keys with soapy water. next step is to clean contacts, pots, and switches.
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Nintendo Game Boy (DMG)
- bio: got it off of ebay for <$30. listed as "for parts or repair" without specifics, pictures didn't indicate anything too bad.
- diagnosis: missing display lens and battery door (but has EXT cover!!!). powers on with fresh batteries (PWR light works), starts init sequence but Nintendo logo is blocked out (tested with multiple cartridges). makes the startup chime! no logo means there's a broken connection somewhere, hoping it just needs contacts cleaned.
- status: i can't open it! i have the "right" bits for the special screws, but they're too short to fit in the access holes. feeling optimistic about everything working, so going to do a small order with a replacement lens and battery door, as well as a skinnier/longer driver.
in progress (computers)
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Mini PC
- bio: random-branded mini pc i got to make into a linux HTPC.
- goals: install linux, install media program, install games and stuff.
- status: i need an adapter so i can connect to my old monitor (mini pc has DP and HDMI, monitor has VGA and DVI :P) so i can actually start. was originally planning on Nobara for the distro, but not super familiar with Debian stuff so might do Cachy instead. looking into Kodi, Jellyfin, et al for media program; mostly just looking for basic library function with a pleasant 10-foot display. looking forward to Plasma Bigscreen when it releases in June. still need to find a remote.