I bought an Atari LYNX 2 for £75 but it's got a problem...
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- Опубліковано 25 вер 2024
- I picked this Atari Lynx up from eBay for £75. It was sold as having some trace damage near the volume wheel. But is that the only problem?
Let's try and fix it!
Hope you enjoy!
Steve
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PS. I'm not an expert in repairs at all. I do this for fun, and it may not be the best or safest way to go about repairing broken stuff. I'm pretty good at melting plastic though. Please don't copy me - I'm an idiot.
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Does anyone else check to see how long is left on the video as soon as Steve sounds confident he’s fixed it? If it’s more than a couple of minutes left, my soul dies a little
Ya because he never fixes it lol
It makes me happy when there's still loads more to watch!
Everytime... and then laugh that he put it back together 😂😂
Like imagining Esher's guy continually pushing a boulder around an impossible structure, I'd feel cheated if Steve fixed it within five minutes. I'm always here for the long haul
yes
The Atari Lynx 2 does have stereo sound through the headphones output. The metal shield can easily be removed by bending the pins on the bottom of the PCB (the side you soldered on). The screen is not very good, but it can be a backlight problem. It is a small fluorescent tube that dims with age. But, like you said, the are very good LCD mods out there. Have fun with your Lynx!
This comment needs some more thumbs so Steve sees it!
Right, idk why he didn't look for schematics on the internet; the audio section on it is fairly easy to understand.
@@Okurka. If Steve was really stuck, I'm sure he would have looked. I think it makes the video more interesting through the process of discovery.
@@mattbowd He didn't even discover the original amplifiers.
@@Okurka. Yeah, unless there's been a lot of work that didn't make it into the video, it seems a bit of a cop out to just throw in a cheap amplifier board like that, and the poor display has a few possible causes which can be nice and simple to sort out, just giving up and fitting an IPS mod, again, bit of a cop out.
Couldn’t sleep. Gf woke to me watching something at 3am. ‘What ya watching?’ she logically asked. ‘I’m watching this bloke from Manchester (?) fix broken electronics. He has a thing called Dave and sings a song each time.’ I think she’s spent the last week questioning a few things.
Lol, now you put it like that 😂
Nice to finally see Voice Over Steve on camera. Always knew he'd be shortshaved...
🤣
i still think there are 3 steves fix it steve , voice over steven and singer steve who in the weekends does appearances at parties as a elvis interpreter
I'm impressed by the casual time travel, not even referenced, where a younger Steve steps in to finish the job
Did Elvis need an interpreter??? Fanyuvermuge. Well possibly
Definitely looking forward to seeing the screen mod.
I've ordered one from China, so hopefully it won't take too long to arrive!
@@StezStixFixAwesome. I'll put on the notification and can't wait what's it gonna look like!!!
@@StezStixFix Don't forget to check/fix or mod the Headphone(jack) if possible.
At least my guess would be the Headphone still does not work at the moment?
@@StezStixFix if you're able to get around to it, i'd like to see you model & print the battery cover. i think that kind of thing would really fit well with your videos 👍
Everyone is pro china when they need the parts otherwise whine about aliexpress/temu etc (cough racist)
Nice one!!! I like how you filmed the second half of the video 5 years ago.
Also, nice to see happy face! :)
🤣
Thinking about this it means that time is ticking, as it's going to fail again in 5 years time! (LOL).
Nice fix on this one! I just filmed a video fixing some of these too. Really interesting to see how you fixed that sound issue.
I had a Lynx version 1 and while the screen was pretty low res it was much brighter than that. Have you checked the back light tube still works?
This is the model I bought, sold as no power. Turns out the seller bought it as no power intending to fix it, but he didn't own any games. That was the whole problem, as you said, you need a game to turn it on lol.
Shhh'shh don't tell everyone.. 🙄🤪😇
Known about this one for about 10 year's which is as long as I've owned a Lynx model 1. Bought it to try and fix it.. but it just needed a Game to work. Model 1 though has x2 different lengths off screws though.. Watch when re assembling. I didn't this know back then 😭 ...
Back when I was in high school, a good friend of mine went to an auction and bought a Model I Lynx as “not working” because it wouldn’t turn on. It never sold and nobody else made an offer, so he bought it for $1 USD. He gave it to me after I told him it probably just needed a game (he knew I’d better appreciate it than he would, being an Atari item). Did just that and it came right on, no problem at all.
I got a Lynx model 1 for cheap on eBay as it wouldn’t turn on. I took a chance and it worked fine. The seller had no games to test it with.
Love this so much! great fix dude!! I've always wanted to tinker with a Lynx, this is crying out for a screen mod too! :)
Thanks Kip! Yeah, definitely gonna pimp this one!
@@StezStixFix
I think you should definitely do more console mods... Legal ones obviously 😅
There are rich veins of mods you could mine for endless hours of future content.
Maybe even a new parallel channel called 'StezStix Mods' perhaps
nice fix. And it shows that sometimes there are even simpler solutions to some problems. Instead of butchering off that stupid cover, you just installed a new amplifier. Great idea and it worked like a charm. Great job fixing this and I am 100% for a screen mod on this one.
Oscilloscope: to make it easier for you, you should limit the frequency range to the range analog should have (everything below 50 kHz should do). You scope is trying everything all over the place. Limiting the range, and maybe the voltage, will result in more "knowing" what's going on, instead of guessing 🙂. Nice video, as usual!
Love the evolution of your diagnostic skills and technique!
By far your best fix yet. In my opinion. Really like to see how you troubleshooted it and persevered
I fitted a BennVenn screen to my Lynx 2, it's brilliant.
Nice. BennVenn makes good stuff 👍🏼
This brings back memories! still remember getting my Lynx from Dixons in the early 90s. I've got an early 80s Yamaha CS01 synth with a slider fault and battery 'spring' connector broken if you fancy a challenge
The strings and bass during the song goes HARD.
Definitely going to be watching out for a screen replacement/mod video. It’s going to look great!
I had one as a kid, it was a lot of fun!
Thanks for the video! The sound of paperboy through the fixed lynx made my s21 speakers vibe like when i owned the lynx1
Awesome work, and the Smiths, love it. Well done.
I have so much fun watching you repair this stuff! Cant wait to see the mod and 3d print content. 😁
Guessing the headphone jack no longer works
i love this.. enjoyed every bit of it!!!! please keep creating more videos!!!!
Fantastic video. Love the Lynx!! I bought one on the first day it was available from Toys "R" Us for one reason..."WAR BIRDS" A combat flight sim on a portable gaming system was astounding at the time. Love the music and sound it makes. Even now I sometimes leave a Lynx on just to hear the demo music. My favorites are "Blue Lightning" and "Zarlor Mercenary" just for the opening music.
I like watching you and my mate vince you guy's are down to earth and smart at what you do.
09:52 I love the totally OTT soundtrack for something so utterly mundane ;-)
Loving the new kick ass repair music it realy gets the soul pumping..
You've come such a long way Steve. All of your skills are so well developed that I would trust you over my local repair shop any day. Love your videos and your songs. They require their own skill set. Great work all around.🙂
I had one of these from brand new and I found the screen brightness absolutely fine. No viewing issues at all.
I find your videos very fun to watch and funny. It's nice that it is sometimes so hopeless and yet it still works. Keep it up. Peace.
I too have had a lynx in the past and the screen was way brighter than that think you might need to look at the screen could be a backlight issue
Awesome work there. I can;t beleive you were so shocked that we didn't have a "get in" moment. Do think that screen is on its last legs though.
🤣 I think it's the first time I've been that shocked. I'll revert back to "get in" from now on 😁
I have the bennvenn IPS screen in my lynx 2, and it's a game changer. No soldering required either.
Dude! I dunno if it's normal for electronics repair technicians to come up with solutions like yours to get problems fixed, such as your sound problem there, but it's super impressive!
Also, you can run two of those mono amp boards, as it does have a stereo output to the volume pot (two ins and outs) The headphone jack has a switch which disconnects the speaker, and also combines both audio outputs to the speaker. If you poke around you can figure this out with continuity.
Oh man.. This brought back memories. I had one of these when i was about 10 years old. Awsome suff as always dude 👍
Awesome as always and adding an amplifier, genius!
Why not cut the wire to the right length once you soldered the one end Ste? I feel wiggling the wire to break it once soldered at the other end could pull the track off the board.
The 3D printer is really exciting! Just imagine the cool repairs you can do!
Great job! Out of all my retro purchases, I’ll have to say the Lynx was one of those I’m not proud of. It just sits there. 😄
Looking forward to that IPS screen replacement video Steve!
some kickass micro soldering skills there !
Haven't read all of the comments, but the Lynx mk II actually does provide stereo through the headphone jack. And in fact, both of the channels are merged at the headphone jack so that you hear both channels on the speaker output on the console. With headphones plugged in, it shuts off the audio to the speaker. So you might have to double check your audio inputs to that installed amp to be sure you have both channels working. There is a dedicated diagnostic cart for the mk II model that better checks this.
I think it’ll be really cool to see the ips screen and you working with a 3D printer im looking forward to it
Paper boy?! Looove it! Born 76🇸🇪😂
Born in 76 too
@@chongtak paper boy was the shit.. But imo soo hard! Games these days are so forgivin. Back in the days not so much.. 😋🇸🇪
Definitely want to see a screen mod video, that would be awesome
Awesome work Steve!!! 👍
Thanks Chris!
I had one as a kid, loved it. Have one today, still love it 👍
10:39 -- "We just don't know, do we?" Seventeen minutes left in the video... Yeah, we know. :)
Brilliant fix on the sound! In a previous video, I remember you fixing a dim screen by replacing a capacitor. Maybe revisit the capacitors and see if a faulty one might be causing the bad picture?
The Lynx 2 has one of the very first backlights which is a neon tube. The tubes fail and were very difficult to see even when new. So yes it could be the capacitor for the neon tube or just change the screen and have the weakness of the Lynx fixed with a modern solution.
Looking forward to the screen mod video!
Hi Steve, I think you might be wrong about it being mono.
The pot is stereo, two inputs and two outputs, so likely stereo. The amplifier just merges the left and the right audio into single speaker, but headphones are stereo.
That's correct, it has two audio channels and he connected only one.
That was an amazing fix brother, time to mod that lynx on the second channel ♡♡♡
I really miss that outro from awhile ago, it was a banger.
Cant wait for the mod.
I have 3 old lynx's. None of the screens are that dull.
I love the Lynx. Such a special machine. I have one with a lovely modded screen.
I felt like a proud parent seeing you do so well.
Excellent work!
Can't wait for the screen mod!
Ah! The Smiths. Love it. Thank you.
Hey, I have that exact t-shirt. It was surprisingly expensive for what it is, but it's very nice quality. Probably 100% cotton too.
Wildest repair I've ever seen
Very nice example of some elegant engineering
I liked this one a lot as someone who got a lynx from a flea market one time and no luck seeing the screen or hearing volume I feel vindicated by Steve fixing (hopefully) both problems I had through proxy I guess? Great video as always!
Ive wanted a Lynx 1 for as long as i can remember (well since i played and borrowed (!!!) A mates in the late 80s). Brilliantly underrated machines. But costly even broken.
What resourcefulness! Great job, Steve! I still have my Lynx II that I bought new back in the day that has a power issue atm, you’ve inspired me to finally give it a go
'Solid' out of the box thinking on this on Steve.
Love your determination. I think your channel should be required viewing for some of our younger generations who give up at the first opportunity. To marks 👍🏼
Ive got one of these in my draw havent used it in over 20 years brings back memories
once again simplicity wins the day for this case its modding a chip for a better amplifier instead of trying to get that metal cover off. (safe to assume the actually problem is hiding under that ofcoarse)
and i totally agree that needs a mod to make the screen more visible and 3d print a battery cover
It's not under the shield; the audio section is right next to the volume wheel.
really great like everytime ! Just a word : it's not a Lynx but a Lynx 2 :) IPS mod and battery mod will be the best for this legend :)
The original screen is absolutely gash in the Lynxs' It will be awesome with a replacement : ) Great job on the amp swap, those boards are a better pick these days, especially with a new speaker too. Well done
nice solution, maybe you can repair more items with bypass modules
You should install the mcwill screen mod, massive difference compared to the original screen
The beats in the disassembly music are worthy of being released as tracks.
1:00 i remember that with the gba i got years ago, I'm so glad i got the gba sp years later.
Wish I could like it twice for the outro song alone
I still have the one I bought new sitting on the shelf next to me with quite a few games, ah the memories of basic low rez gaming on a handheld.
Nice repair and audio mod Steve. 👌😎
I skipped to 3:46, but I still love ya Steve
You may have already checked - but if the previous owner recapped the board, they may have installed the wrong capacitor around the audio amp IC's (which were the ones you pointed out). A wrong cap there can cause the audio to stop working.
Nice fix Ste, but I do wish you would cut the mod wires rather than wiggle them until they break - you are potentially going to break more tracks that way.
yep, it is amazing
Was out in my Beat t shirt today, the full set of the t shirt, blue Harrington, bleachy jeans and a nice pair o' Dr Marten cherry shoes... never gets old :)
Cool. I'm starting to believe you know what you're doing. Best video to date. lol
I have had both a lynx 1 and 2 the second one is better looking of the two in my opinion, and i love the neat feature to flip the screen for both left and right handed people .The screen mods for most of these old handhelds really makes them a lot nicer .I loved being able to play paperboy and hard driving on the lynx i sold my lynx a long time ago but i have a number of gameboy dmg,s that a modern screen and a recap would make great again and a very poorly just about working sega gamegear no doubt poor caps .Great fix these tiny little amps are superb for their size i have the 3 watt per a channel and 15 watt a channel pam ic based amps and they get decent sound and output even on larger speakers .
can't wait for the screen upgrade.
Awesome workaround !....cheers.
I use to have this long time ago & the screen does go bright for sure as I remembered.
There's a really good Lynx 2 IPS screen replacement mod from Benn Venn. I know Mark Fixes Stuff did a video on that a while back. I did it on my own Lynx 2 and it's really 1) simple, and 2) beautiful.
Hey @stezStixFIX you can simply do a no soldering needed LCD upgrade which looks thousands times better maybe that can be a future video to revisit? The upgrade is totally worth it
Great video, Steve. Enjoyed that, and love your way of approaching these things. Keep up the good work, as your videos help me in a variety of ways.
Cheers!
You look sharp after shave , good video mate... Awesome
A chunky device with newly found chunky sound !
It only deserves more chunky mods in the future from our chunky hunk! Stay solid 👌👍
Great repair! Looking forward to the screen mod and 3d print!
I had a game gear with Tarzan little did I know how much the game would of been worth 28years later I’m glad I kept it all in its game gear case
I remember when the Lynx came out, the ads only showed it from the front and I thought it looked so cool. I had no idea just how huge it is.
I think you put the amplifier on the copper shield without any isolation, thats a risk of shorting connections. Also, the amplifier on the board is still connected to the speaker terminals(and amplifier), better to connect the amplifier output directly to the speaker
Ooooh, would love the see you do the IPS mod.
12:08 looks like you have it hooked up to life support 😂
Oh wow. The Atari Lynx. I had (have somewhere) 2 of these. The original and 2nd version. I'd play Chips Challenge for so long the sound track would do me in. 😂