Excellent video series. I went through a restoration of a PAL SX-64 in 2021. Mine was an extreme rebuild, it needed a new IO PCB, the original was full of corrosion due to the environment the machine was stored. I worked with a PCB design engineer and created a brand new replica PCB which included the SRQ fix. I replaced all of the old single wipe IC sockets, fixed the User Port AC tied to ground issue, designed a dual color green/red power/activity LED PCB for the FDD, replaced the faulty CRT with an LCD screen which needed a new monitor control PCB and a new speaker/amplifier to hear the tunes. I also came up with a replacement clock PCB for the main CPU PCB that uses an 8701 chip. Oh, and I got the SX-64 chassis electroplated in passivated gold zinc. I then finished it off with JiffyDOS. I spent way too much time and money on this machine, but I've ended up with a very unique machine.
I love these lil guys so much I have eight of them. Three in total working condition. The remaining have something on them that doesnt work. Like the monitor, drive, sound or not even booting. Your video will be an excellent reference. Unfortunately I only have 2 keyboards!!!! Ive noticed many sellers sell the keyboard separately.
@RavenWolf Retro Tech, awesome video as usual! Sorry to hear about the wrist but glad it’s on the mend. DDM is looking pretty great as well. Looking forward to the upcoming videos in that.
Does the SX-64 suffer from the same over-voltage issues in the normal C64 power supply? I've been afraid to even turn mine on for years and it's on the back shelf until I can pop it open. Maybe these videos will spur me to get it done.
Fortunately the SX-64 power supply is reputed to be very reliable. I have not heard of it causing an overvoltage issue. I would just disconnect it and check everything with a meter to be safe.
The problems are getting the right parts and having a PSU to connect to. A friend sent me a spare SX-64 power supply that I am using to get the connectors I need. My Bench power supply allows me to make a modular cable from these cables that will provide the right voltages for both boards.
If you have a spare SX-64 PSU, but not a bench supply that puts out all the correct voltages, I would just extend the 2 power cables and the video out cable on the spare supply and that would work perfectly!
@@RavenWolfRetroTech thanks, when you talked about the cable I p;ictured something different. next time i have a batch of SX to work on i will investigate setting up for external powering.
My cousins had one of these. I loved going to their house and playing games on the little machine!
Excellent video series. I went through a restoration of a PAL SX-64 in 2021. Mine was an extreme rebuild, it needed a new IO PCB, the original was full of corrosion due to the environment the machine was stored. I worked with a PCB design engineer and created a brand new replica PCB which included the SRQ fix. I replaced all of the old single wipe IC sockets, fixed the User Port AC tied to ground issue, designed a dual color green/red power/activity LED PCB for the FDD, replaced the faulty CRT with an LCD screen which needed a new monitor control PCB and a new speaker/amplifier to hear the tunes. I also came up with a replacement clock PCB for the main CPU PCB that uses an 8701 chip. Oh, and I got the SX-64 chassis electroplated in passivated gold zinc. I then finished it off with JiffyDOS. I spent way too much time and money on this machine, but I've ended up with a very unique machine.
Wow, you've really taken your SX-64 restoration to the next level. It sounds like an amazing machine!
Glad you finished up the series. I will need the reassembly directions on the one I have at some time.
Thank You! I'm glad it will help someone.
wow and peace be upon you sir from me
That was a huge effort. Great work.
Thanks! I appreciate the compliment.
I love these lil guys so much I have eight of them. Three in total working condition. The remaining have something on them that doesnt work. Like the monitor, drive, sound or not even booting. Your video will be an excellent reference.
Unfortunately I only have 2 keyboards!!!! Ive noticed many sellers sell the keyboard separately.
Sounds like a sweet collection but I know what you mean about the keyboards. Even just a keyboard cable runs 2 arms and a leg!
@@RavenWolfRetroTech Then there is the keyboard cable!!!!
@RavenWolf Retro Tech, awesome video as usual! Sorry to hear about the wrist but glad it’s on the mend. DDM is looking pretty great as well. Looking forward to the upcoming videos in that.
Thanks Frank! I am working on the DDM update as we speak.
SX-64 IS the best 8-bit computer!
Does the SX-64 suffer from the same over-voltage issues in the normal C64 power supply?
I've been afraid to even turn mine on for years and it's on the back shelf until I can pop it open. Maybe these videos will spur me to get it done.
Fortunately the SX-64 power supply is reputed to be very reliable. I have not heard of it causing an overvoltage issue. I would just disconnect it and check everything with a meter to be safe.
how much would you charge to make a second cable for testing the boards outside the SX? that would sure make life easier.
The problems are getting the right parts and having a PSU to connect to. A friend sent me a spare SX-64 power supply that I am using to get the connectors I need. My Bench power supply allows me to make a modular cable from these cables that will provide the right voltages for both boards.
@@RavenWolfRetroTech i have spare power supplies, i think i even have one in with my NOS boards
If you have a spare SX-64 PSU, but not a bench supply that puts out all the correct voltages, I would just extend the 2 power cables and the video out cable on the spare supply and that would work perfectly!
@@RavenWolfRetroTech thanks, when you talked about the cable I p;ictured something different. next time i have a batch of SX to work on i will investigate setting up for external powering.
Any plans to sell spare SX-64s?!
Once I restore another one I will certainly sell this one. I usually offer them to local group members first to avoid shipping damage though.