BBC Micro Model B - Restoration and Upgrade Log

Demon said:
I've just had similar mods turn up:
- DFS 1772 Hardware + ROM
- User Port Micro SD Cart adapter

And ordered the compact PiTube to allow a co-processor and run the fabled Elite 'Executive' version..
https://www.sundby.com/index.php/project/pitubedirect/

I've got a reunion with old school mates on the weekend so will have to wait until next week to fit them, but looking forward to it!
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Iirc the 1772 DFS was by Watford Electronics, its been a while(!) they made the best quality kit for the various incarnations of the Beeb if you want disk games to work though you'd be better off with an official Acorn drive their protection systems made use of the quirks of the 8271 DFS

spaceman said:
Same here, I've still got my Acorn Electron. I'll see what state it's in at some point.
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Sold my original long ago but I picked up one from a car boot for £15 a few years back! Didn't have much use by the look of it powers up fine
 
No real update, but the PiTube PCB was faulty, not sure who did it, I've had it in it's anti-static bag since it arrived, but was cracked when I took it out, however a new one is on the way!

I've also had issues with the DFS kit, so have to debug that too! It's just not showing as being installed, so will do a full boot check with the scope and see where that is going wrong. I've got some blank EEPROMs so I can try burning a different copy of DFS and see if that is the issue.

A bit disapointing, but I do want to get the basic games going and also the Fabled Elite special edition to take advantage of the Co-processor (Pi-Tube).

Everytime I work on the BBC, I love it, the build quality is great, it's so accessible and in such good condition..
 
Not sure if you've seen but Adrian's Digital Basement has a series going on at the moment on restoring a BBC Master 128 which I've not heard of before, interesting stuff :) As you say the build quality of the BBC machines is great.

 
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Loved that one, I liked when he came over to the UK on work and took a load of computers back with him..

I would love a BBC master but it's not one from my Childhood so despite being better, it doesn't have the appeal..

I am looking out for a DK Tronics cased Spectrum 48, whilst I didn't have that case (just the regular rubber keyed Speccy 48) my best mate at school did, and loved the keyboard..
 
Duke said:
Not sure if you've seen but Adrian's Digital Basement has a series going on at the moment on restoring a BBC Master 128 which I've not heard of before, interesting stuff :) As you say the build quality of the BBC machines is great.
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Watched those over the last few days when I had some time to kill - interesting how much things do and don't stand up to the test of time. Also made me realise just how much I'd forgotten about using them - though I was always much more interested in the RISC OS 3.1 and onwards Acorn systems.
 
Duke said:
Not sure if you've seen but Adrian's Digital Basement has a series going on at the moment on restoring a BBC Master 128 which I've not heard of before, interesting stuff :) As you say the build quality of the BBC machines is great.
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Lovely machines, the nice solid, quality, clunk of those keys I've never come across anything like it since
 
Demon said:
Loved that one, I liked when he came over to the UK on work and took a load of computers back with him..
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Yes I remember that, sounds like he's been over here a few times for work!
 
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