Laser XT Restoration
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- Опубліковано 12 жов 2017
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In this episode I take two broken Laser XT compact computers and try to make one working model out of it, along with a complete restoration.
just imagine if his daughter had a friend over
"why is your dad cooking keyboard keys?"
"oh that's for his job"
"oh"
XD
Lol
Mmmm...keyboard marinara. Yum yum.
And just like when I cook spaghetti, one key stuck to the bottom of the pan. Heh.
He could have 'chips' with them...get it...I'll get me coat!
"You've got 51K RAM more than you need, Dude.
That's gnarly!"
Perfect.
It's like when the Skyrim launcher checks your system specs and immediately sets the graphical quality to Ultra
You’ve got 51k RAM more then you need, Dude. That’s gnarly!
__
@@GoEatATowel
Right, because Skyrim is the only game in the entire world that does that.
The said 512k btw
@@lenny02112 no it didn't
I have no idea why I like these videos so much. I don't know anything about retro PC systems like this and don't really care to ever own any, but it's just so satisfying to watch this guy restore them. I think he has a real passion for what he does, and it shows in how meticulously he goes over each individual part of the machines to bring them back to their original condition.
it's like watching the antique refurbishing channels, where they fix up furniture you'll probably never own.
Its the intro. Cant get it of my head, and I keep coming back! lol
Maybe you just like learning about old computers.
maybe it's just satisfying to see an old thing get repaired
This comment describes me
"MOOOM! Dad's cooking computer parts again!"
This comment is gold.
XD
“That’s how we pay the bills, sweetie!”
@@phantomhavok7407 "how is cooking computer parts part of how we pay the bills mom?" Ha ha ha. :D XD
morgan russman Utube $$$$
*8BG dumps keys into a pot on the stove*
Hey look.
Alphabet Soup.
@@stupidjaosn lol
Stupid Jaosn I remember that show!
Love it.
@@stupidjaosn Martha Speaks
RandomPerson744 teh Object thingy yep!
What sets this apart from other restoration channels is that you explain everything you are doing. Not just music or, worse, nothing. I love it.
Well we finally got those documentaries, 4 years later
He puts so much work into the visuals in this videos. They really help explain what he's talking about and I appreciate that he takes the time to make them.
"Hopefully someday I can find the original power supply for it."
*Next month in: 8-Bit Guy Donations*
"Oh wow! A Laser XT power supply. Thanks ______!!
•Finn• hopefully
Times that by four.
While the original PSU may be more authentic, it will probably require replacing at least half of the components such as capacitors for reliable operation...
You mean 20 of them! XD
•Finn• I thought the same thing
I have something to say... It's kinda personal, but there is. I live in South Brazil, and I really feel that people in my country doesn't cares at all about any kind of history, specially about electronics. They just treat anything 5+ years old like totally garbage. It's so amazing to know that are people out there, just like you, that really dedicates to preserve the history of such things. I love collecting those kind of things as well, but because of what I've said, theres little to nothng left, and if there is, is stupidly pricey... Anyway, keep doing that great job that is your channel. My best wishes for you!
>people treating electronics older than 5 years old as garbage.
Fuck those guys.
Raposa Dislexa Brasileiro é tudo assim mesmo
What about the Sega Master System? I thought everyone in Brazil loved that thing
Just the retro videogame community, wich is not as large as you imagine, and within that community, some people just really overprice stuff and... it's just a mess
Raposa Dislexa My parents are like this. My dad thinks any electronics more than like 3 years old aren't worth owning. I'm glad I'm old enough to buy my own stuff now, when I was a kid I got so pissed at that mindset.
ELECTROBOOM version:
“Lets power it on and see if there are any sparks”
Computer: “KTSHHHH”
I was half expecting a large spark
XD
We had still had IIe's, C64s and Laser XTs in my early elementary school classes - sometime around '89-90. I have a vivid memory of one of my teacher bringing the Laser into class, had obviously taken it home to do work. The idea of a "portable" computer at the time seemed so cool. Cool to see one working again.
I seriously drop everything whenever i see an 8 bit guy video
Also props to Anders, his music's gotten stupidly good recently
Yeah Anders music is truly a hidden gem
Honestly, half the fun of these videos is seeing what new Anders track(s) are featured :)
The music sounds like a nightclub from a sifi movie
Anyone know where to find Troubled Hearts non-instrumental? Can't find it anywhere and that's the song w/ the vocals he used and I quite like.
@@VidweII you can find it on Anders's SoundCloud
You inspired this 10 year old to love retro stuff
I found a old DOS computer in my grandmas storage
I WAS SO EXCITED
You're lucky dude, my dad used to have a C64! I wanted it so bad before he told me he sold it a long time ago ;^;
But still I hope to have one someday! ^w^
Amber The Cat
Actually that happened to me.... I’m not lying I promise 😇
@@minecracktyler if you like old retro computers, you should join Vogons.org, a message board where they talk about all kinds of retro computer hardware and software.
@@rebelrailz. If you're willing to restore one yourself, you can get a couple parts ones for $50 on Ebay and make a working one. Very good condition ones seem to be going for around $350 right now. The C64 is very easy to emulate on modern computers too if it's just the software you're interested in.
Those old computers are rather hard/rare and expensive to find so you must be lucky to have atleast Commodore machines
neat music! Its like an 80's work montage clip when you're putting the keys back on. "Everybody's working for the weekend!"... lol
What is the song at 14:35 called, I like it.
"Troubled Hearts" by Anders Enger Jensen, with lyrics by Gina Evjen and Kristine Frøberg and vocals by Kristine Frøberg.
And 4 years later the documentary on the computers is released.
"Dad, are you making cookies?"
"No, it's a computer."
"Again?!"
It’s a keyboard
But it isn’t a keyboard it’s keys
Hey 8 bit guy! I just wanted to say we all appreciate the thorough amount of work you put into your restorations. Summing it up in one video makes it seem like it's not much, but we can tell it's a lot of effort.
Keep it up, we love your videos!
Cool. I have a Laser Compact XT. It was my first MS-DOS computer. Let me know if you need any documentation I have the original 3-ring binder documentation that I could copy and send along. It is possible to upgrade this machine a little bit. On mine, I added an addition UART and RS232 line driver chips so as to enable Com2. I also added an XT expansion card slot on the side so I can plug in 1 card, or even an expansion chassis. (The expansion chassis was purported to be an option, but I don't think it was ever actually sold. I think the problem may have been because of FCC emission certification.) Its a fine little machine. I haven't actually watched all your video yet, but they might have come with a 1MB EMM expansion card inside which is useful in setting up a RAM drive. Glad to see this machine on your channel. Brings back memories. I'll have to dig mine out and see if it still works.
Hey I would love to see more of your upgrades! It was also my first computer.
I'm sure if he needed it he would appreciate it a lot for his documentary. Try emailing him because he didnt respond via comment.
Would be a happy buyer if you ever want to pass it on. I spent several years as a kid beating the life out of this exact machine. transported me and 100% responsible for my life path. Nice to hear you mention it.
Cool
12:54 "Laura! Laura!! That darn neighbor is washing computers in the street again!"
"Leave him alone Harold" "I'll call the home owners association!!"
Just want to say, your intro music is 80'stastic.
Patrick star ...or it's a full composition I made on request from David, based on a sample loop from one of my Vengeance sample sets. ;) soundcloud.com/eox-studios/morning-dew
I've never heard of the song you referred to, but do provide me with a link, I'm very interested to hear it. :)
Anders, the music around 14:40 is that from Troubled hearts ? I have tried to search youtube as I love the other music of yours but could not find it :(
Every episode I wach I feel like im watching an 80's tv show
@Kathy Quinlan You can find that part at around 2:05 on SoundCloud here: soundcloud.com/eox-studios/troubled-hearts
Anders Enger Jensen THANK YOU
14:35 SICK BEATZ
soundcloud.com/eox-studios/troubled-hearts
Thank you A LOT!
You da real MVP! Thanks!
Your restoration series is one of my all-time favorite shows, youtube or otherwise. I love seeing these things nursed back to health that would otherwise just get recycled or destroyed.
That was my first computer and as a kid I spent 3 years squeezing and pounding out every single bit of power it had. I've been buying all my old time "things" lately and I found your video. Put a smile on my face. I hope to find one soon. Thanks
First, I like the music choice! Second, as an idea for Future power problems on other machines; it may be worth it to keep the atx supply, and add more plugs as you go along, perhaps making it into a universal power supply. It could save you quite the hassle of either tracking down a supply to be able to use a machine, or possibly having a bad power supply, which could damage the electronics. Hopefully this helps!
To be fair, if he does this a lot he should probably invest in a set of bench power supply modules.
You can get cheap ones off ebay that work reasonably well for something like $20 per module, or slightly more depending on voltage and current limits.
Granted this system would have demanded 4 modules...
But you can easily get anything between 0 and 20 volts at up to 3 amps from them.
So if you run into something weird needing say, 17 volts, or 7.5 or whatever...
You can at least test those fairly easily...
AT is actually a better solution here. Early computers relied heavily on the 5V rail, but newer, atx power supplies have most of their capacity on the 12v rail, with an underpowered 5v rail.
Hydrochloric Acid on the other hand, old computers isn't that power hungry.
Rather use a newer atx then a old at dito
Thelemorf i mean you do have a point there
true, perhaps a buck converter could be used, which could bring down the 12v to 5v as needed
I remember my grandma used to make keyboard pasta, its so nostalgic seeing that alphabet soup again.
I just love how things end up looking after good research, empirical testing and a bit of cleaning and care. Great job!
I really enjoy your videos. I just received an NES-101 top loader I won on EBay in the mail today. I was cleaning it and it's accessories with Windex while watching this video.
I just found a laser compact XT at a Goodwill outlet today with its original power supply!!! total for it was something like $8. It’s missing a couple keys and key posts sadly, but it powers on and an image appears! I’ll have to find out how to actually use it now, cause it seems like tons of fun
Mmm Thexder! :D My favourite is Thexder II with the music on the MT-32 composed/arranged by Rob Atesalp.
I really liked your song used in this video!
soundcloud.com/eox-studios/troubled-hearts
The MT-32 version is pretty good, but you gotta listen to the YM2608 version from the PC-88 original, it's a work of gods!
As an MSX fanboy, I've gotta say I prefer the OPLL FM soundtrack from the MSX2 version of Fire Hawk to any other. I know the MT-32 and PC-88 versions are technically more complex and contain more layered music, but there's just something about the sound of the MSX-music chip -- and the way the tracks were arranged for it -- that makes me ludicrously happy whenever I hear it.
...And regardless, Fire Hawk is an amazing game. Fun fact, if you've only played the Sierra release: Sierra removed the intro and most of the ending for some reason, replacing it with a miniature intro comic included in the box. Except... the comic was very different from the intro featured in every Japanese version of the game. In the comic, Joanna (whose original name is Joshua, because Game Arts apparently didn't understand the concept of gendered names!) actually STOLE the Fire Hawk suit to rescue Arthur -- whereas in the original Japanese releases of the game, she was a high-ranking military officer assigned to a Fire Hawk unit, along with many other military officers.
I like the Japanese version of the story better, because not only is Joanna/Joshua depicted as a strong, capable female military officer (as opposed to an overly emotional and impulsive thief), but the downed Fire Hawk units you find during the course of the game seem somehow more meaningful when you realize that they're your colleagues, who were sent on the same mission as you... and you've made it farther than they did. It's a very subtle thing, but I think it really affects the game's atmosphere in a profound way.
I also think it says a lot about gender roles in early '90s America that Sierra felt compelled to make this change in the first place.
Wyrdwad Wow! Cool, I didn't know the back story and those differences from the Japanese original. Very interesting!
I visited Rob Atesalp this summer while working with David here, and he told me all the stories from the days at Sierra making music for them. He actually composed and transcribed/ported much more than he was credited for. Really cool guy, we grabbed a few beers and jammed a little in his kitchen. Going to finish the song as soon as I get some more time. :)
I also have planned a remix of the Thexder II theme he made too, just need to crack the code to honour the great work he did on it. I guess I also need to check out the MSX version too. :)
Watching your restoration videos has genuinely helped me make quite a few of my vintage computers *and* electronics look practically new! I thank you so much, and when I'm back in the job-saddle, you have a Patreon subscriber!
Another fantastic video, Dave! I love your attention to detail, and explanation of all your steps. Always a joy to watch your videos, and makes me want to try some restoration myself! Kudos!
At 7:46, did the computer said "You've got 512K RAM more than you need, Dude."?
TheMilkyOne that's California games dude whoa, bodacious!
Gnarly!
That's gnarly
That's gnarly!
That's gnarly!
I LIVE for 16 minute long 8 bit guys.
I seriously could watch these restoration videos for hours at a time. They're so relaxing and fulfilling.
Awesome video! Great job restoring that computer. It has been a little over a year since I have found your channels and I want to thank you for all of the amazing work that you do. Your content has been with me throughout this past year and it has helped me so much in ways you might not even be able to imagine. Again, thank you. :)
Couldn't you use a couple of chips from the parts RAM board in the empty sockets of the restored one to expand to 640K?
Yes this, this right here!!!
Yeah, surprised he didn't do this while it was open!
Holy guacamole man. Your videos is like awesome gift for gray day weekend. So satisfying, watching how you restorate old PCs. I never regret about subscribe on your channel. Thankeree ;).
Your restoration videos are definitely my favorites of the videos that you make. It's really interesting to see the techniques and methods you use, and I love the way you describe the process as you go through it. (I love your other videos too of course)
Its a complete enigma why i am watching since i have no interest in computer restoration but it definitely is a compliment for you as the Maker/Editor. Keep up the great work!
11:30 its time to cooking letters
The true alphabet soup
I'll have a "Letter" burrito.
Hey Dave, hope all ok. Thanks for this amazing video about the laser, very unusual stuff :). About the power supply you can get a cheap one for the ATARI 520 ST, as they are cheap on ebay and they have the same voltages outputs so you just change the connector,the Laser has 3 grounds and the Atari has 2 but in the laser 2 of them are common so you can connect them together and you will get a almost original look power supply as the original one is hard to get, you can get it but can take years, all the best from Southampton UK.
When I was 10, Laser was pretty much my favorite company. I wanted a 128 EX/2 and this XT, so I could have lookalike IBM and Apple computers. Service Merchandise and Sears were likely to have both!
I've said it before and I'll keep on saying it, Thank you to anyone who restores and documents older technology, you do a great service to current and future generations.
I love the vocals in the music!
me too
I can't wait to see episode 3 of the Commodore story
Tough. He will make a documentary about the Laser 128 and XT, then he'll do Commodore 64.
Me to
This was my first computer! Sadly, I sold mine years ago, long before I started collecting retro computers. It’s nice to a video on this system. Thanks
I find these videos oddly cathartic, just seeing the care with which you bring old and sometimes forgotten pieces of technology back to their former glory tickles me in all the right ways.
07:44 "You've got 51K RAM more than you need, dude. That's gnarly!"
Oh hey, you've got Thexder! That game was pretty good, but Thexder 2 was even better, especially on the PC-88 with the godlike YM2608 soundtrack ;3
Great stuff! I owned 2 Laser XT's, used for billing and word processing in a small business. Great, reliable and slooow in our applications.
Very cool. Came out looking nice. Even some light retrobriting thrown in there. Great video!
I'm sure you know this by now but, oh lord never put a power supply into an unmatching piece of equipment unless you are sure it's compatible. A lot of people have fried ZX Spectrums this way because Spectrums have a center negative barrel jack which is very unusual, almost always the center is positive unless it's various pieces of music equipment.
Nukleon I've come across a few odds and ends that had that center negative power supplies. If polarity isn't marked, I'll open up the device in question and see if I get a clue. I think that most DC inputs are positive center (negative "ground") due to automobile lighters being wired that way, and a lot of portable electonics use a "lighter plug". It kinda became a defacto "standard" even if said device was something other than 12 volts and would never be in a car. But yeah on DC inputs, there is no actual "standard" - Better check and not guess!
James Slick what I do if I'm unsure I'll often Google it first and see what I find if it isn't something I have to open or if it isn't real apparent when the device is opened.
It's more a question of age in my experience. Up until to like .. mid-90ies, early-2000s center negative was "normal", then everything more or less suddenly changed over. Music equipment just kept it
Except with a lot of portable radios and 8-track decks, those were still mostly center positive... Probably because they were designed to be used in a car or boat.
13:05
All the other keys: "Yay, freedom!"
That one key, like: *nope*
This video makes me all happy. Nothing like restoring an old oddball like this and make it work perfectly again. :)
Great job, 8-Bit! Looking forwards to the documentary. :)
WOW! This looks awesome! I don't know much of what you're talking about most of the time, but I love it!
I check my notifications and im like "OH MAH GAHD NEW 8BITGUY!!!
Me too!
Big same, this is a great way to start the weekend
Same
Me everything 8 Bit Guy uploads: OOOHH MORE KNOWLEDGE
This is SO my jam for the beginning of the weekend.
This was my first PC.
I still have it somewhere, I need to find a 5.25" boot disk to try it.
IDK why but I love watching you clean a computer and explain what you're doing. Its so relaxing.
Thank you for doing this video. It brings back memories. I have a Laser 128 sitting in my garage for over almost 30 years now. I will go see if it still works. Looking forward to see your documentary video. Thank you again.
You might want to buy some sugru (maybe black and white, for mixing the exact shade of grey) and then mould a replacement strain relief from it, for the DIN plug. Of course that wouldn't reproduce the shape of the original strain relief, but since sugru is rubbery and flexible, a thinning sleeve should be functionally identical.
Never clicked so fast. Keep up the quality content too.
Thank You for this intuitive video, I summed up the courage to open my laser compact XT for cleaning, used some air on the ram and it sprang to life, booted up, then checked the drive and have it working. Key board sticks but i will attempt to clean it. I must say that this machine was last used during 1989 to perhaps 92. been in storage all these years, but now.. IT'S ALIVE !! I am not gonna worry much about the actual keys, but i will look at the contact board and clean. BTW all keys are intact. I also just realized that I had attached a second external drive a 3.5 backpack, so after key board that is next.
Thank You so much again....Upon operation checkout..it might be for sale. Michael in Tucson AZ
Great work! Love seeing your effort on these classics.
Wow that documentary took a while :D
At the end of the intro song, I expected to see a guy run down the street, jump and fist pump into the air, freezing at the top.
Every single time I watch your videos I'm wildly impressed. As someone who enjoys retro technology, particularly video game consoles, I can say your videos are extremely entertaining.
Thanks for this video. I grew up with a Laser 128 Apple clone. I didn't realize it was a clone until I saw your video and it jogged my memory. A lot of fond memories on that machine.
The outro song is soundcloud.com/eox-studios/troubled-hearts.
Welcome. I'm surprised no one else looked at the troubled hearts album.
thanks!
Thanks! I was trying to find this online. Wished the 8-Bit Guy would have put a credit for it in the notes.
it is there: 16:25
NoName
1 month ago
Welcome. I'm surprised no one else looked at the troubled hearts album.
You can easily get -12 volts from +12 volts using an ICL7660. It is very cheap and easy to use chip, available in DIP8, only needs two external capacitors to work.
shiru8bit
Ahh, I just mentioned something similar. hehe
I've seen some small DC-DC reg boards for negative rails online.
Shouldn't be too hard to hook up, and a lot more compact than the old AT / ATX PSU.
There aren't that many modern replacement PSUs for retro machines (that don't cost a small fortune, and still have the negative outputs).
Hmmm. Idea for future project. lol
Exactly my thoughts. Something like that should be enough for the project:
ebay.com/itm/_/252461791792
(leave +12v unconnected)
I believe that in many (most?) AT computers -12 line is only used for COM (serial) port, so connecting it to -5 should be fine most of the time. Even just connecting it to ground is enough to make some COM-port devices working. However please note that it's only an educated guess, I didn't research schematics of old motherboards to prove I'm right.
Irregardless, omitting or grounding -5v rail on pre-pentium motherboards would likely lead to burned out memory and other chips since it provided negative bias for some components. However, the bias current is minimal and a small DC-DC converter or even a battery should be enough.
Just use a 24v transformer with a center tap. No chips required.
M3ta7h3ad It needs to be _regulated_ ±12V±5%, not unregulated ±12V±30% .
Quality just keeps getting better with each video. Really liked the music choices too.
I hate those proprietary connectors, they only make things worse.
I think videos like these transcend being just another video on UA-cam and become an important part of the history of PCs and technology in general.
Good job, you're doing the (tech)gods work!
"You've got 51K RAM more than you need, Dude. That's gnarly!"
That broken key mount says "3d print me"
Not a bad idea in concept but with keyboard sliders you have to be careful with the tolerances so it would most likely require some test fitting and/or sanding perhaps
No point in 3D printing when you have a parts machine like this.
Know from experience it doesn't work very well because you have to have extremely fine resolution which most consumer models can't reproduce. That and the resulting key stalk works a lot better if it's smooth, which you can achieve with sanding and acetone, but it's a lot of work and it'll never be as good as just getting a piece from the parts machine you have right next to you anyways.
@@AiOinc1 Resin printing might be a better choice for something like this than FDM printing. Though you could also just use resin casting to duplicate one of the existing parts...
@@tetsujin_144 he had someone in another video who casted parts for an old toy robot.
I just saw your video in 1080p by the first time and NOW I NOTICE THE DIFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLEAN KEYS AND THE YELLOWED ONES
Is so beautiful
These restoration videos are a pure joy to watch.
8-bit- “Alcohol And Water”
Mom-honey I’m sick.Can you hel-
Me-ALCOHOL AND WATER
1. New The 8-Bit Guy video
2. Like the video
3. Get food
4. Comment
5. Enjoy !
I like how "watch the video" isn't actually on the list.
Step 3 can be a mistake on these restoration videos, when he's cleaning all the gunk and what have you...
i always eat when i watch these
1. New The 8-Bit Guy video
2. Watch the Video
3. Like the Music
4 Buy Album Download
So when do you watch it?
Awesome to see this computer gets a new life. Great work like always. Can't wait for the documentary about it.
Something so soul soothing about watching you rescue these machines from certain demise. You're a good man.
never clicked off an old vid of urs faster
TheJoJmaster To watch this one
Hey Dave - I'm a big fan - when will you do the laser 128 documentary?
2 weeks ago
Why is it so soothing to watch this dude repair old computers? Love this channel!
At least you got the gem to work. ♥
Another lovely foray into the machines of the past...
Try to use a old commodore monitor with a windows 10 machine! :D
You Crazy Bastard.
I'm impressed that you do this. This 30 year old computer now looks nearly new and fully functions. This is our history being captured.
I had one of these back in the day and loved it! I'm looking forward to your documentary.
I can't count the number of times I've been burned by a pinout diagram being "back of jack" vs. "plug" (especially on a DIN).
You should 3D print in case you would like both working
Getting 3D printed plungers to slide properly is a bit of a challenge, but the shape doesn't have any evil undercuts, you can simply mould it off in 2K silicone and cast in epoxy, and it'll be an excellent reproduction.
And i mean i have a 3D printer and i 3D print just about EVERYTHING i can think of, and i love sitting there in CAD for an evening, it's just so addicting, but IDK sometimes people lose track of TRIVIAL techniques that don't need any extra equipment at all.
These restoration videos are so satisfying to watch.
14:34 - Thank you David for showing me this awesome track! This song became my very first digital music purchase on iTunes Store.
Hmmm, boiled keys, they taste yummy
Anyone know where I might be able to pick up an Apple IIc? I'd like to build up my collection a bit more. Awesome video, nonetheless.
There is a place in Pennsylvania called kemners surplus with a MOTHERLOAD of apple II computers and its where I got my apple II
AShifter an amazing place called ebay
Fox Repair never heard ebay before ;)
Fox Repair While ebay is a good place to obtain a apple IIc computer but on ebay it is too expensive.
I always wanted a IIGS. The last Apple brand computer that wasn't a mac I think. Tracking down a copy of Oregon Trail, there in lies the challenge.
Surprisingly suspenseful video! Each time something worked I was like "Woohoo!"
Fantastic job. Inspires me to get my nowhere near as obscure machines cleaned up and working again. I'll need to get a few more bits of kit but I'm starting to get an idea of what to do.
Name of the song at the end?
Next time on donation unboxing: 27 Laser XT power supplies.
those restoration videos are probably my favorite on this channel. Keep it up ! Cheers from France
I love the restoration. I get excited to see you repair it.
8-bit guy gets inundated in Laser XT PSU's in 3.... 2.....
I'm actually looking for the extra one I had for him LOL