When I was growing up my mother, may her soul rest in peace, always made Commodore keyboard soup for us every Thanksgiving. Glad to hear others are out there keeping the tradition alive!
I was severely deflated when I showed up late to claim the Compaq you got at the DFW Retro Meet. The owner had originally promised it to me at the previous meeting, but when I was late he thought I wasn't going to be there and had already given it to you. Boy am I happy he gave it to you. I had only one, broken Compaq portable that I was hoping to combine/cannibalize with yours to fix at least one. Since that 'deflating' moment I acquired three more, an additional NIB keyboard, and one even has a V20. Thanks to your restoration video I now have a real head-start on what to expect. I had already torn down a couple of them and two work except for the keyboards - even the NIB keyboard is toast. I had ordered a keyboard refurbishment kit from Europe not knowing that TexElec had them one day's mail away from me here in DFW. Thanks for that, too! In addition, the gentleman who gave you the Compaq Portable gave me a TI-PPC in recompense for the misunderstanding. I have wanted a TI-PPC since I was a teenager after my father had used one. It appears to work except for its floppy so that's no worry. Everybody wins! I appreciate what you say about this being a complicated project. That's why I haven't yet fixed even the keyboard. I am a traveling consultant with circumscribed home time, so I ordered enough Portables that when I do get around to it I have all the ammunition. Thanks to your videos, as G.I. Joe said, knowing is half the battle. :)
Andrew Barker Or we’ve discovered TimeTravel, using Chronoton technology from the Krenims! 😂 (Yeah, I’m on the Star Trek Voyager binge watching right now!)
Video Ted 😂😂 It kinda grows on ya, and I’m dedicated to churn through the entire series. Got Deep Space Nine left and one more I think. Plenty of time ahead on Netflix indeed. Neelix says hi. Sad that Kes had to depart in season 4 though :/
With spray adhesives, they usually work best when you spray both surfaces you'll be sticking together with a thin layer, let them get a bit tacky, and then stick them together. Cool to see everything working in the end!
is this a joke? tell me it's a joke.... you can't eat the computer keys with red wine.... a crisp white is what you want. and don't forget the garnish , we're human beings not house pets.
"A rich, full-bodied red wine, sensibly priced at a dollar a jug. And now for a little magic, I will make this jug disappear..." - from the later works of Orson Welles (actually the Critic)
For future reference, a trick I picked up from a guitar amp manufacturer: The secret to getting spray adhesive to tack really well is to spray a good coat on the joining faces you want to join. Wait for them to dry, then spray some adhesive on the prepped sides. Be careful though, once you put both faces together, they're together for good and you can't shift or move them around.
"One of the advantages with spray adhesive is, that when you use it properly, it will not let go again. Yet one of the disadvantages is, that, IT WILL NOT LET GO AGAIN." - Adam Savage
People who complained to 8-Bit Guy about the keys melting honestly deserved it because they should have paid much more attention instead of blindly assuming instructions and ranting at someone else for their own idiocy.
I never understood why people blame others for their own stupidity. To those that want to diy a restore job, always research the job you're about to do and ask questions if you're not sure! Great video as always David!
So very satisfying to see these vintage machines brought back to a new lease on life. Back in the day everyone had their favorite hardware platforms, but this far removed, it is nice to see any machine from that era being reclaimed.
Watching this back again. I'm amazed by your determination to get to the bottom of the issues and you have an amazing support network helping you. I worked for Compaq for a few years and appreciate you bringing this piece of histroy back to life!
I have the same sound vide he was sent I believe. It’s sooo easy to use and he doesn’t have to consistently test the water. Plus he can manage it from his phone.
WOW! Worked on many many of these! Started building XT PCs in 85. Learned how from a neighbor who ordered the part from a company called JDR Micro Devices out of Los Gatos CA. Dos, MFM, RLL, 360k Floppies, 4 & 8 MHz speeds. Low Level formatting hard drives (Debug: G=C800:5). Learned so much in those days! Went on to work in the industry for 25 years. Thanks for sharing!
I remember using one of those back in the day. Loved it as a portable machine and it impressed my Family when I brought it home showed off my skills. Thanks for rescuing it and the great videos.
Great resto. Ahhh, the nostalgia. Loved that machine. And Space Quest on it!!! It even ran AutoCad (probably V9 for DOS) for many years, and produced thousands of lines of C and assembler code. Good job.
For the past month I've been watching your video's almost on a daily basis...I have no idea why but this is the most relaxing video library on RUclips. You're extremely likeable and makes it me feel better watching restoration/explanation of older graphics/systems after coming home from work. Thanks for all the videos :)
Dude! You wanna not melt keys then use a pot-in-pot method, like when melting candle wax. The heat capacity of the water is much more stable than the constantly fluctuating on/off of the stove element.
I believe someone sent him a Sous Vide cooker lately, which lets you immerse it in a pot, and it controls the temperature of the water. So, I wouldn't expect any more heating elements after this
This is true. Direct stove heating means there's going to be hot spots compared with the rest of the water. Any key touching the sides of the pot, especially the bottom, could be damaged. Anyone with basic cooking knowledge should know this, so I find those angry letters absurd and funny.
Reminds me of the channel CNC Kitchen which cooks Sous Vide on the heated bed of a 3D printer. Actually I too abuse the printer bed when I need to keep something at precise temperature that is not too high. I know 8 bit guy has one too.
1:44 your container method has really helped me in my IT career Super handy when you're taking apart laptops or printers that have a bunch of different screws. You can organize them in sections with a container like this Great great tip
Excellent restoration! I learn a lot with you "8 bit". It is undeniable the passion you have when making videos. P.S. I live in Mexico and curiously this was one of my first computers, I remember my parents bought it at a flea market, years later I saw its full story in a documentary called "Silicon Cowboys" and it allowed me to see its importance.
I know almost nothing about computers but I still find this channel incredibly interesting. The quality of your videos are top notch and entertaining as well. And these restoration videos are so satisfying.
I don't blame you for buying the foam circles. I've made them before, they're such a pain. Great job with the restoration! Oh, and don't run the system with the expansion card door closed. It needs to be open for airflow :)
I recently did a super thorough cleaning on one of my keyboards and I was very pleased with the results. I followed all of your steps and it turned out great. It’s pretty amazing what just a simple cleaning can do for a keyboard.
These keyboards restorations are really helpful when someone do it too. Month ago I do the restoration for my keyboard, it was really dirty, but I cleaned it and it looks and works beautiful. I like your videos, keep doing them! I'm happy with fact I subscribed your channel :) Regards from Poland ;)
Just totally impressed with everything . Well done. You may be a PC pro/geek but you are also an incredible editor and speaker, the pace of the video was perfect, informative, and captivating. Kudos
Usually you need to put adhesive on both surfaces with that type of adhesive. Looked like mounting glue and it will just be a post-it if it is only one side. Im not sure if that was such an adhesive but it did spray like one.
Enjoy your series, and thought I'd share this, hopefully this isn't to often repeated: When I've done restorations I've always found the easiest solution to cleaning plastic components, including the keys of keyboards is to use my dishwasher. A dishwasher can be set to not heat the water, only allowing for only "home use" temperature of the water, ensuring you won't melt or damage your keyboards. Mild dish detergent really gets the keys clean. Though you will want to get an old laundry "sock bag" (the kind of bag that's really just a tight net you can tie shut) to put the keys in (unless your dishwasher has a utensil shelf that can close (some models do have one or two that can close). If you use this method, you also have to make sure and not use the heater drying mode, as that can damage some of cheaper/thinner components (some dishwashers have... overly vigorous heating elements). Anyway, keep up the good work, looking forward to seeing more vids of old PC's being restored!
Those keypads...damn. This was a computer NOT made to be serviceable... You definitely have a lot more patience than many of us do; it's a gift, use it well. Looking forward to the documentary, and more retro history!
Amy Carter Modern laptop keyboards are really not serviceable, with the lid heat staked to the plate under the keys. This on the other hand was assembled with screws and replaceable parts inside each switch, allowing any trained technician to replace only the broken part of a single key. And 35 years later, the spare parts were still available! There was also a generally available service manual listing all the obscure error codes etc. And the Intel CPU had published documentation for every pin, signal and instruction (except a few undocumented opcodes that were later revealed), no silly NDA to sign, just pay for a paperback copy of the docs booklet.
I've got one of these things tucked away in a storage shed and it's such a relief knowing that someone finally sells replacement keyboard pads, ready to go. Hopefully I can get the thing working. It worked long enough to start to boot a very old copy of Windows I had, but after that the keyboard kicked the bucket.
I'm actually looking for one of these that's "beyond repair" to use as a custom case for some mod project. I wouldn't want to destroy a working one, and I'd save any parts from inside that might still be good so that other people who need them can have them. I'm just wanting a classic looking work station to set the mood for when I'm writing.
Nice idea and should be quite doable with just a little skill. Hell, that sucker is more than big enough for a full blown gaming rig and be the star of the LAN party.
we're talking about old computers tho', it's really hard to find one that is like you say "beyond repair" as those things were built like tanks, it's more likely to find living dinosaurs than finding an old computer without repair
man you always hit every problem in da face!!! the explination @ around 6:32 is really detailed and researched more than i would. 8-BIT FOREVER! I'M READY!
David, i binge watched *all* of your videos (in 3 days) and I have to say: They are extremely intresting! I love them so much, thanks so much for keeping retro computers alive, one video at a time!
The homemade keypad sheets were great. I would have liked to have seen that part of the project through, but it was also pretty gratifying to see the real keypads after they were in place -- so shiny and new.
Or you can put the foot from some tights or a stocking (pantyhose) over the open nozzle of your vacuum cleaner pipe and hold it in place with an elastic band then run it around the floor and anything larger than dust stays on the outside of the sheer fabric where it's easily retrieved.
Kudos to you man, It's so awesome that you and others like you are keeping these machines alive and restoring them to their prime condition. I never encountered machines like this in my life so it's really fascinating to see what these things were like when they were brand new. THANK YOU!!
I love seeing circuit boards and all that bobbidy do that a old computer has, it just goes to show you loads of people in the 70s to 90s are REALLY smart.
You are the BEST dude. You really light my day giving life to old machines. As a geek I fell good to see a computer that didn't boot working perfectly. Keep up the good work.
I worked as a technician from the late 80s to the mid 90s. This video brings back memories of repairing these Compaq luggables. Never had one with this many problems all at once though. LoL
RUclips randomly unsubscribed me from you. I’m glad I decided to check manually on any new videos I may have missed and happened to see you had just uploaded a new one. Thanks for making such great videos. You keep the nostalgia alive!
I will likely never get into computer restoration, I wasn't alive for most of these release ort lifespan, but it is so fun watching you restore them. Just so satisfying
I don't like paper towels for cleaning but i love magic sponges. With nothing but one of those and a bit of moisture i turned a dirty old thinkpad into a nearly new one.
I hate that you feel like you have to explain yourself to the commenters on here with their irrelevant input. You do a great job. I love watching you do this and screw all the nitpicking.
Amazing... Migraine medicine kicked in right when this video arrived. Double winning. You need to make yourself a UV retrobrite chamber or move to the bahamas.
When replacing the capacitive pads, it is very easy to pry the white pad holder from the black housing which would allow the user to easily place the pad in the pad holder and secure it under all those tiny clips. The white pad holder with the capacitive pad then easily snaps back into the black housing unit. I did my entire keyboard in 45 minutes using this method and my Compaq keyboard works 100% now.
this keyboard info has been eye opening!!!!! and the reason for that is because i made a non working trs-80 model II into a modern machine conversion. but i rebuilt the keyboard to work on usb instead by taking a random dell keyboard and rewiring all the pads on the trs80 keyboard and extending them to the pads on the dell keyboard. welp first time i assumed those shiny pads were conductive but found out they were not. it bugged the hell out of me for how they worked until now. i just replaced them with aluminium foil and that worked. the keyboard is still working to this day :) its a pretty sweet retro pc sleeper build. i made use of everything on the exterior. turns out the 8" drive works pretty well for a 2.5" docking station :)
I love this channel. These computers are too hard to get in my country and even if I would’ve gotten them they are too archaic for me to use them. But i love listening about them and learning how they work. And even if I didnt just watching how passionate you are about them would keep me glued to the screen. Been watching you for around 2 years now and I hope to watch for as long as you’ll make them!
A nice tip to control the temp of the water while retro brighting. Although you dont have much influence on the time. Put it in the dishwasher in a closed pot. There are those thick glass pots with a glass lid and a rubberband to seal it of. The dishwasher has several programs on different temperatures and select the best suitable for the job. And the dishes are also cleaned in the same process. The first time your hobby will actally help in the household!
4:04 Anyone else currently or used to dye their hair alot and say "isnt that just developer and not ther peroxide?" Maybe he didnt add a video where he added the peroxide
And to you as well. And to all the Americans, happy Columbus Day (not that you actually celebrate it, but still)! Truthfully, I prefer turkey, but keyboard soup seems an okay appetizer.
Great job!!! 👍👍👍.I used to service those lugables eons ago, and do field repairs on those keyboards. Back then, that style of pad was used across most lines of PC keyboards that I worked on. Even some old dumb terminals used the same type. They were very susceptible to fine dirt getting between the pads and contacts. The contacts would also tarnish and a pink pearl eraser worked the best for cleaning, just the right amount of abrasive to shine them up then a alcohol wipe to finish cleaning the pads and contacts, you were good to go.
I have a slightly yellowed Dreamcast that I bought second hand, and watching videos like these make me wanna restore it to its former 1999 glory. Disassembly would be a pain for a newbie like me, and I live in not-so-sunny England, so that could throw a spanner in the works. I always love these sorts of videos, David!
It's not like people in the youtube community haven't also been using it, people David has collaborated with even. RetroManCave did a whole video testing a bunch of retrobrite stuff and gave a glowing review of the sous vide. Also he got a desoldering gun but that has also yet to be seen, even though it's super duper simple to use.
I could literally watch these restoration videos all day long. I really wish I had some stuff to learn and do like this. I'm familiar with retro briting just because I used to collect retro games. But damn. This looks so tedious and fun. Plus just cool, I've never seen one of these older computers irl.
I just wanted to comment on how happy I was to see you break out the Space Quest II floppy to test! It was my first computer game on my Tandy 1000, and still holds a special place in my heart.
My first computer was one of these! I had a hardcard 20 in mine! Also upgraded one of the floppys to a 3.5HD using a special card because the bios didn't support it. Wish I had kept it after all these years!
This was my first computer... and I still have it! This is where I learned to type and eventually how to program. Last time I turned it on it still works. I can't wait for your documentary! Also, loved that you demoed Avoid the Noid. Definitely remember that. I miss Xaxxan and Alley Cat.
this was fun as heck to watch, since this was my first personal computer, like, not as in PC, but not "the family computer" but my own actual computer. my father's company had 11 of these, and upgraded the whole companies computers, so when these were outdated at the company, he brought these to me and my brother to play around with, and we found out how to swap the drive bays, set the headers, there was one that actually had a hard disk drive that took up one of the two disk drive bays.. these were some pretty kickass units, and i have a lot of fond memories on that computer, and love the mono green screen.
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
When I was growing up my mother, may her soul rest in peace, always made Commodore keyboard soup for us every Thanksgiving. Glad to hear others are out there keeping the tradition alive!
I’m sorry about your loss
-Omega Zero- Bruh it’s obviously a joke
@@jasonamongus9863 I’m talking about his mother you prick
Ah yes it was one of my favorites!
im sorry about this rest in peace
"Dad, when my laptop fell on the floor it broke."
"Son, when my Compaq portable computer fell on the floor i was searching for it in the basement."
:-D
*thinking*
@@soapy7261 think about it
Brandon Robbins It’s the Nokias of Computers
yeet
I was severely deflated when I showed up late to claim the Compaq you got at the DFW Retro Meet. The owner had originally promised it to me at the previous meeting, but when I was late he thought I wasn't going to be there and had already given it to you. Boy am I happy he gave it to you. I had only one, broken Compaq portable that I was hoping to combine/cannibalize with yours to fix at least one. Since that 'deflating' moment I acquired three more, an additional NIB keyboard, and one even has a V20. Thanks to your restoration video I now have a real head-start on what to expect. I had already torn down a couple of them and two work except for the keyboards - even the NIB keyboard is toast. I had ordered a keyboard refurbishment kit from Europe not knowing that TexElec had them one day's mail away from me here in DFW. Thanks for that, too! In addition, the gentleman who gave you the Compaq Portable gave me a TI-PPC in recompense for the misunderstanding. I have wanted a TI-PPC since I was a teenager after my father had used one. It appears to work except for its floppy so that's no worry. Everybody wins! I appreciate what you say about this being a complicated project. That's why I haven't yet fixed even the keyboard. I am a traveling consultant with circumscribed home time, so I ordered enough Portables that when I do get around to it I have all the ammunition. Thanks to your videos, as G.I. Joe said, knowing is half the battle. :)
You dumped all of that delicious key stock down the drain. Would have been great for alphabet soup.
If he were working on a Mac, would it be apple juice?
dude...
Nah you wouldnt get Apple-Juice out of a cooked Mac-Keyboard, you would get Beetlejuice ...
Wow that comment took my breath away
**ba-dum tshshshshh**
I’m always impressed by your patience and stamina for pulling through on these projects! Great results and entertainment! :D
@@themacintoshbuyer4240 Patreon bro ;)
Andrew Barker Or we’ve discovered TimeTravel, using Chronoton technology from the Krenims! 😂
(Yeah, I’m on the Star Trek Voyager binge watching right now!)
@@AndersEngerJensen I think you are going over warp 10 right now, say hello to Neelix
Video Ted 😂😂 It kinda grows on ya, and I’m dedicated to churn through the entire series. Got Deep Space Nine left and one more I think. Plenty of time ahead on Netflix indeed.
Neelix says hi. Sad that Kes had to depart in season 4 though :/
@@AndersEngerJensen Then churn you must!!
You have a long way till you reach the alpha quadrant.
Also: prepare your pagh for Deep Space 9.
I love that you share your failures as well as successes. Very authentic, and helps newbies to restoration know it’s ok to make mistakes.
With spray adhesives, they usually work best when you spray both surfaces you'll be sticking together with a thin layer, let them get a bit tacky, and then stick them together.
Cool to see everything working in the end!
Yeah, helps to use it right.
And I would had vacuum bagged it. The company who made those key insert replacements probably did that.
The Workbench polishing a turd
Agreed, but not sure it would've mattered on that mylar sheet. That stuff is like Teflon.
Guy open carries a gun, but doesn’t know how to use spray adhesive. Let that one soak in...
for Compaq Keys, we suggest a white garlic sauce, with mushrooms, served with a full bodied red wine...
Khai J Bach Can it run the classic Mushroom joke / music program or is it too slow?
is this a joke? tell me it's a joke.... you can't eat the computer keys with red wine.... a crisp white is what you want. and don't forget the garnish , we're human beings not house pets.
Khai J Bach along with a dash of olive oil and a dash of olive oil. I also recommend a dash of olive oil.
"A rich, full-bodied red wine, sensibly priced at a dollar a jug. And now for a little magic, I will make this jug disappear..."
- from the later works of Orson Welles (actually the Critic)
Seriously, everyone forgets the most important ingredient; pepper pepper pepper
For future reference, a trick I picked up from a guitar amp manufacturer: The secret to getting spray adhesive to tack really well is to spray a good coat on the joining faces you want to join. Wait for them to dry, then spray some adhesive on the prepped sides. Be careful though, once you put both faces together, they're together for good and you can't shift or move them around.
That's not a trick. That's how spray adhesive works. Says so right on the instructions.
"One of the advantages with spray adhesive is, that when you use it properly, it will not let go again. Yet one of the disadvantages is, that, IT WILL NOT LET GO AGAIN."
- Adam Savage
People who complained to 8-Bit Guy about the keys melting honestly deserved it because they should have paid much more attention instead of blindly assuming instructions and ranting at someone else for their own idiocy.
I complained because he never told me to add salt before tasting the keys.
Bweakfust!
Crepe Maister Note that the English language word "cook" is the same word used in some other languages for "boil".
Ikr
@@johnfrancisdoe1563 doesn't excuse lack of research on the subject
Making new capacitive discs was genius even if the adhesive sucked
Great idea, just needed a bit more work
The idea was fantastic, just needed more trial and error.
"I'll place something heavy on here while it dries."
*places rest of computer on there*
I never understood why people blame others for their own stupidity. To those that want to diy a restore job, always research the job you're about to do and ask questions if you're not sure! Great video as always David!
So very satisfying to see these vintage machines brought back to a new lease on life. Back in the day everyone had their favorite hardware platforms, but this far removed, it is nice to see any machine from that era being reclaimed.
Watching this back again. I'm amazed by your determination to get to the bottom of the issues and you have an amazing support network helping you. I worked for Compaq for a few years and appreciate you bringing this piece of histroy back to life!
This video actually inspired me to buy my own compaq portable, and after being restored it is now my favorite item in my collection
An immersion circulator (like for sous vide) seems like a great way to keep the temperature perfect for retrobriting inside.
He's been told many times (and I'm sure someone even sent him one in 8-bit unboxing). Frustrating.
Yeah he got sent one and never uses it. I love David but he's a bit reactionary.
I have the same sound vide he was sent I believe. It’s sooo easy to use and he doesn’t have to consistently test the water. Plus he can manage it from his phone.
WOW! Worked on many many of these! Started building XT PCs in 85. Learned how from a neighbor who ordered the part from a company called JDR Micro Devices out of Los Gatos CA. Dos, MFM, RLL, 360k Floppies, 4 & 8 MHz speeds. Low Level formatting hard drives (Debug: G=C800:5). Learned so much in those days! Went on to work in the industry for 25 years. Thanks for sharing!
I remember using one of those back in the day. Loved it as a portable machine and it impressed my Family when I brought it home showed off my skills. Thanks for rescuing it and the great videos.
Great resto. Ahhh, the nostalgia. Loved that machine. And Space Quest on it!!! It even ran AutoCad (probably V9 for DOS) for many years, and produced thousands of lines of C and assembler code. Good job.
For the past month I've been watching your video's almost on a daily basis...I have no idea why but this is the most relaxing video library on RUclips. You're extremely likeable and makes it me feel better watching restoration/explanation of older graphics/systems after coming home from work. Thanks for all the videos :)
Dude! You wanna not melt keys then use a pot-in-pot method, like when melting candle wax. The heat capacity of the water is much more stable than the constantly fluctuating on/off of the stove element.
That's called a double boiler. It's also what you use for melting chocolate.
I believe someone sent him a Sous Vide cooker lately, which lets you immerse it in a pot, and it controls the temperature of the water. So, I wouldn't expect any more heating elements after this
Good point!
This is true. Direct stove heating means there's going to be hot spots compared with the rest of the water. Any key touching the sides of the pot, especially the bottom, could be damaged. Anyone with basic cooking knowledge should know this, so I find those angry letters absurd and funny.
Reminds me of the channel CNC Kitchen which cooks Sous Vide on the heated bed of a 3D printer. Actually I too abuse the printer bed when I need to keep something at precise temperature that is not too high. I know 8 bit guy has one too.
I like restoring old cars, but this channel is just as satisfying. I love learning about how old computers work and how to troubleshoot them! Fun.
1:44 your container method has really helped me in my IT career Super handy when you're taking apart laptops or printers that have a bunch of different screws. You can organize them in sections with a container like this Great great tip
Excellent restoration! I learn a lot with you "8 bit". It is undeniable the passion you have when making videos.
P.S. I live in Mexico and curiously this was one of my first computers, I remember my parents bought it at a flea market, years later I saw its full story in a documentary called "Silicon Cowboys" and it allowed me to see its importance.
I know almost nothing about computers but I still find this channel incredibly interesting. The quality of your videos are top notch and entertaining as well. And these restoration videos are so satisfying.
I don't blame you for buying the foam circles. I've made them before, they're such a pain.
Great job with the restoration!
Oh, and don't run the system with the expansion card door closed. It needs to be open for airflow :)
Yeah, but then it won't be very Compaq.
@@blackhatfreak Get it? Compaq as in 'compact'!
I recently did a super thorough cleaning on one of my keyboards and I was very pleased with the results. I followed all of your steps and it turned out great. It’s pretty amazing what just a simple cleaning can do for a keyboard.
These keyboards restorations are really helpful when someone do it too. Month ago I do the restoration for my keyboard, it was really dirty, but I cleaned it and it looks and works beautiful. I like your videos, keep doing them! I'm happy with fact I subscribed your channel :) Regards from Poland ;)
This is the worst cooking show ever. First that keyboard keys tasted terrible, then the contact sandwich had no flavor. 1/10. Cool PC though.
Did you try the creme case? It's pretty good imo
You clearly didn't cook the keys long enough; best meal I've had in years.
You obviously didn't keep your temperature under tight enough control. He said 130-140, next time try sous vide.
Hold up
*Looking for r/whoosh opportunities.*
9:50 damn those 8-bit legs
Fahad Rehan xd
8-bit Jorts!
THINN
Bwahaha!
Fahad ya khra
What you did is the definition of "Restoring" a vintage computer, I would've just thrown the thing and run a DOS on VMware. Great Job!
Awesome vid...
You need the patience of a saint to restore old technology
Just totally impressed with everything . Well done. You may be a PC pro/geek but you are also an incredible editor and speaker, the pace of the video was perfect, informative, and captivating. Kudos
Usually you need to put adhesive on both surfaces with that type of adhesive. Looked like mounting glue and it will just be a post-it if it is only one side. Im not sure if that was such an adhesive but it did spray like one.
Enjoy your series, and thought I'd share this, hopefully this isn't to often repeated: When I've done restorations I've always found the easiest solution to cleaning plastic components, including the keys of keyboards is to use my dishwasher. A dishwasher can be set to not heat the water, only allowing for only "home use" temperature of the water, ensuring you won't melt or damage your keyboards. Mild dish detergent really gets the keys clean. Though you will want to get an old laundry "sock bag" (the kind of bag that's really just a tight net you can tie shut) to put the keys in (unless your dishwasher has a utensil shelf that can close (some models do have one or two that can close).
If you use this method, you also have to make sure and not use the heater drying mode, as that can damage some of cheaper/thinner components (some dishwashers have... overly vigorous heating elements).
Anyway, keep up the good work, looking forward to seeing more vids of old PC's being restored!
Those keypads...damn. This was a computer NOT made to be serviceable...
You definitely have a lot more patience than many of us do; it's a gift, use it well.
Looking forward to the documentary, and more retro history!
Amy Carter Modern laptop keyboards are really not serviceable, with the lid heat staked to the plate under the keys. This on the other hand was assembled with screws and replaceable parts inside each switch, allowing any trained technician to replace only the broken part of a single key. And 35 years later, the spare parts were still available! There was also a generally available service manual listing all the obscure error codes etc. And the Intel CPU had published documentation for every pin, signal and instruction (except a few undocumented opcodes that were later revealed), no silly NDA to sign, just pay for a paperback copy of the docs booklet.
his videos are also monetized. That makes patience a lot easier to come by
@@squirlmy stupid comment even 2 years later
I've got one of these things tucked away in a storage shed and it's such a relief knowing that someone finally sells replacement keyboard pads, ready to go. Hopefully I can get the thing working. It worked long enough to start to boot a very old copy of Windows I had, but after that the keyboard kicked the bucket.
I'm actually looking for one of these that's "beyond repair" to use as a custom case for some mod project. I wouldn't want to destroy a working one, and I'd save any parts from inside that might still be good so that other people who need them can have them. I'm just wanting a classic looking work station to set the mood for when I'm writing.
Nice idea and should be quite doable with just a little skill. Hell, that sucker is more than big enough for a full blown gaming rig and be the star of the LAN party.
we're talking about old computers tho', it's really hard to find one that is like you say "beyond repair" as those things were built like tanks, it's more likely to find living dinosaurs than finding an old computer without repair
@@LovelyAlanna you should see the Mac that someone threw into the bottom of a ditch near my friend's house 😂
Really appreciate when you show where you have messed up, because that is where everybody have a chance to learn something.
man you always hit every problem in da face!!! the explination @ around 6:32 is really detailed and researched more than i would.
8-BIT FOREVER! I'M READY!
I love those! Also, when he points out what chip on the mobo does what.
David, i binge watched *all* of your videos (in 3 days) and I have to say:
They are extremely intresting!
I love them so much, thanks so much for keeping retro computers alive, one video at a time!
On the same evening, a video from LGR, another from Octav1us and The 8-Bit Guy, talk about a perfect evening!
It's a (Canadian) Thanksgiving trifecta!
The homemade keypad sheets were great. I would have liked to have seen that part of the project through, but it was also pretty gratifying to see the real keypads after they were in place -- so shiny and new.
A useful tool for finding those springs on the floor, is a magnetic wand.
yeah! but are the springs magnetic though?
@@LumaControl those are. I lost a few on my floor that I found recently.
oh! Nice!
Or you can put the foot from some tights or a stocking (pantyhose) over the open nozzle of your vacuum cleaner pipe and hold it in place with an elastic band then run it around the floor and anything larger than dust stays on the outside of the sheer fabric where it's easily retrieved.
You've got such a knack for restoration of old hardware. It's seriously awesome.
gets home from school check youtube "YESSSSSS 8-BIT GUY VIDEO!"
Exactly my case!!!!
:(
nope its quarrantine
Kudos to you man, It's so awesome that you and others like you are keeping these machines alive and restoring them to their prime condition. I never encountered machines like this in my life so it's really fascinating to see what these things were like when they were brand new. THANK YOU!!
I like how you used a daily pill container for the keyboard springs lol
Your patience and commitment is exemplary. Fantastic job!
I love seeing circuit boards and all that bobbidy do that a old computer has, it just goes to show you loads of people in the 70s to 90s are REALLY smart.
You are the BEST dude. You really light my day giving life to old machines. As a geek I fell good to see a computer that didn't boot working perfectly. Keep up the good work.
A new 8-Bit Guy video ? I guess my work will have to wait another 16 minutes x)))
I need to go to the toilet, but that must wait till I finish this
@@SarkarMotion TMI
@logan jenkins 🤣, no 6 inch screen for me..... only 50 inch 4K will suffice for 8 bit guy stuff
I worked as a technician from the late 80s to the mid 90s. This video brings back memories of repairing these Compaq luggables. Never had one with this many problems all at once though. LoL
If I had a Compaq portable I would use it at Starbucks. Chicks dig big computers.
thaddeus mcgrath the girls at starbucks are crazy and retarded.
darren cafferty tf
@@darrencafferty Idk why but I read that in LGR's Duke Nukem voice and that made it exponentially funnier.
@@Cole-ek7fh only in NJ
Which is why I'm bringing my 1987 Toshiba T3100 to college.
RUclips randomly unsubscribed me from you. I’m glad I decided to check manually on any new videos I may have missed and happened to see you had just uploaded a new one. Thanks for making such great videos. You keep the nostalgia alive!
I think good music to listen to while doing the tedious work would be the soundtrack to Planet X3.
I will likely never get into computer restoration, I wasn't alive for most of these release ort lifespan, but it is so fun watching you restore them. Just so satisfying
8:06 Tuning fork
Cool to see this project finally get wrapped up. The finished restoration looks amazing.
4:00
Kid: "Daddy, what's for diner?"
Dad: "Alphabet soup"
That is very deadly.
xD
Cant stop watching your `Restoration` videos. They`re addictive
I don't like paper towels for cleaning but i love magic sponges. With nothing but one of those and a bit of moisture i turned a dirty old thinkpad into a nearly new one.
I hate that you feel like you have to explain yourself to the commenters on here with their irrelevant input. You do a great job. I love watching you do this and screw all the nitpicking.
Happy Thanksgiving Day from Canada; I'll give thanks to you for providing us with good videos.
infinitecanadian What is the tanksgiving day?
Frank Walter en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(Canada)
The failures and troubleshooting are the BEST parts of these videos. Thank you so much for your work!!
"What's for dinner?"
"Alphabet soup."
Hey!
8 bit guy! I haven't seen you in 2 or 3 or 4 months! Glad to see ya with your 70s, 80s and 90s stuff. I love them!
Amazing... Migraine medicine kicked in right when this video arrived. Double winning. You need to make yourself a UV retrobrite chamber or move to the bahamas.
Bahamas is too moist.
Hey look, someone suggested something he actually kind of did
When replacing the capacitive pads, it is very easy to pry the white pad holder from the black housing which would allow the user to easily place the pad in the pad holder and secure it under all those tiny clips. The white pad holder with the capacitive pad then easily snaps back into the black housing unit. I did my entire keyboard in 45 minutes using this method and my Compaq keyboard works 100% now.
My day is now a billion times better. Thanks fam. Love the vids.
I loved the making capacitive keys, you really could keep your device going for decades with a little trial and error - inspiring.
I LIVE for restorations!
this keyboard info has been eye opening!!!!! and the reason for that is because i made a non working trs-80 model II into a modern machine conversion. but i rebuilt the keyboard to work on usb instead by taking a random dell keyboard and rewiring all the pads on the trs80 keyboard and extending them to the pads on the dell keyboard. welp first time i assumed those shiny pads were conductive but found out they were not. it bugged the hell out of me for how they worked until now. i just replaced them with aluminium foil and that worked. the keyboard is still working to this day :) its a pretty sweet retro pc sleeper build. i made use of everything on the exterior. turns out the 8" drive works pretty well for a 2.5" docking station :)
Slow cooker can be used to minimize the risk of ruining the plastic as they don't go over 80 degrees centigrade.
No... I've seen things boil in a slow cooker.
Penurious Sierra stop using inferior measurement systems.
@@MilesPrower1992 That's when it's set too high. Set it on Medium and it rarely goes over 75°C (Rival Crock-Pot)
I love this channel. These computers are too hard to get in my country and even if I would’ve gotten them they are too archaic for me to use them. But i love listening about them and learning how they work. And even if I didnt just watching how passionate you are about them would keep me glued to the screen. Been watching you for around 2 years now and I hope to watch for as long as you’ll make them!
David, am so glad the cat is doing OK.
when he mentioned about the cat?
it was 3 weeks ago. The cat fell in a very deep vinegar bath tub intended for restoration.
Ooh good to know. its nice the cat is good
The cat is OK.
But David gave cat a new name: "Vinny the Gar"
@@stewiegriffin6503 awww nice
A nice tip to control the temp of the water while retro brighting. Although you dont have much influence on the time. Put it in the dishwasher in a closed pot. There are those thick glass pots with a glass lid and a rubberband to seal it of. The dishwasher has several programs on different temperatures and select the best suitable for the job. And the dishes are also cleaned in the same process. The first time your hobby will actally help in the household!
Take plastic to tanning salon to retrobrite! Please do a video on this
+Ron Fish Ultra Violet rays would just bleach the keys. As I understand, he wants the keys to be their original colors, not bleached white.
Tough repair job, but with some very nice additions of how those keys work. Good to see you got there in the end!
4:04 Anyone else currently or used to dye their hair alot and say "isnt that just developer and not ther peroxide?" Maybe he didnt add a video where he added the peroxide
12:52 CheckIt! Easily the greatest and most versatile DOS diagnostic program ever made. I love that program.
A pissed off Gordon Ramsey storms in..
Stuffs some keys in his mouth and then slams the tabletop in a fit of disgust "IT'S RAW!!"
Me: Try IBM keys. They taste good, Gordon.
@@marioalexanderski9598 hehehe
I really enjoy this channel, I find it very therapeutic and enjoy seeing the old machines given a new lease of life...
Happy Thanksgiving to fellow Canadians!
And to you as well. And to all the Americans, happy Columbus Day (not that you actually celebrate it, but still)! Truthfully, I prefer turkey, but keyboard soup seems an okay appetizer.
And from America I wish you a warm toque and no soakers!
Definitely one of the best restoration you've made ! Good job !
Have you ever tried an ultra-sonic cleaner for keys?
This video dosen't have nearly enough likes for all the effort you put into it.
Planet x3 will replace Doom memes. "Planet x3 on a toaster"
Great job!!! 👍👍👍.I used to service those lugables eons ago, and do field repairs on those keyboards. Back then, that style of pad was used across most lines of PC keyboards that I worked on. Even some old dumb terminals used the same type. They were very susceptible to fine dirt getting between the pads and contacts. The contacts would also tarnish and a pink pearl eraser worked the best for cleaning, just the right amount of abrasive to shine them up then a alcohol wipe to finish cleaning the pads and contacts, you were good to go.
Why doesn't anyone put the link to the other parts in the series in the description? Would make for finding things much easier.
I have a slightly yellowed Dreamcast that I bought second hand, and watching videos like these make me wanna restore it to its former 1999 glory. Disassembly would be a pain for a newbie like me, and I live in not-so-sunny England, so that could throw a spanner in the works.
I always love these sorts of videos, David!
I kind of figured you'd have used that Sous Vide someone sent. I'd have busted that thing out a dozen times by now just for fun.
I have a feeling he is hesitant because it is unknown to him.
It's not like people in the youtube community haven't also been using it, people David has collaborated with even. RetroManCave did a whole video testing a bunch of retrobrite stuff and gave a glowing review of the sous vide.
Also he got a desoldering gun but that has also yet to be seen, even though it's super duper simple to use.
@@Nukle0n old dog, new tricks
I could literally watch these restoration videos all day long. I really wish I had some stuff to learn and do like this. I'm familiar with retro briting just because I used to collect retro games. But damn. This looks so tedious and fun. Plus just cool, I've never seen one of these older computers irl.
Keytronic foam and foil.... What a legendarly bad keyswitch.
I just wanted to comment on how happy I was to see you break out the Space Quest II floppy to test! It was my first computer game on my Tandy 1000, and still holds a special place in my heart.
Foam and foil switches
disgusting
Definitely not /r/mechanicalkeyboard friendly :P
You don't have to eat them.
@ACAB\\ Mela BAKAta not before I take it
My first computer was one of these! I had a hardcard 20 in mine! Also upgraded one of the floppys to a 3.5HD using a special card because the bios didn't support it. Wish I had kept it after all these years!
This was my first computer... and I still have it! This is where I learned to type and eventually how to program. Last time I turned it on it still works. I can't wait for your documentary!
Also, loved that you demoed Avoid the Noid. Definitely remember that. I miss Xaxxan and Alley Cat.
this was fun as heck to watch, since this was my first personal computer, like, not as in PC, but not "the family computer" but my own actual computer. my father's company had 11 of these, and upgraded the whole companies computers, so when these were outdated at the company, he brought these to me and my brother to play around with, and we found out how to swap the drive bays, set the headers, there was one that actually had a hard disk drive that took up one of the two disk drive bays.. these were some pretty kickass units, and i have a lot of fond memories on that computer, and love the mono green screen.