BBC Model B Computer "stuff"

[Mel_P]

I am clearing out my roof and one item that I have been looking at is my BBC model B computer. Despite coming on once I cannot get it to boot so am not sure it is working. I also have a pile of "floppy" discs (5" and 3") I think - with a pair of disc drives. Again not sure if working. Also a spare "genuine" power supply.

Does anybody know of a club or organisation that has an interest in this kit. As it's non-working I suspect museums aren't interested.

Mel

 

[Mel_P]

I have a broken BBC B in the loft too.
Booted up the other day and was ok, then wasn't lol
Put back in loft

Snap! Too many unsoldered joints I think- dodgy connections?

 

[Mel_P]

This is what I have / don't know what to do with:

Hardware:
BBC Model B with DFS, 32 K. with Issue 4 board. (with original repaired (capacitors) power supply). Beeb B is NON-working – did work but has continuous droning beep.
Spare (working) Power supply - I suspect this is a sellable item.
Opus disk drive unit with 5.25 80T drive and 3” Disk drives. Working when last used but cannot test (with manual) (possibly sellable items)
Many used 5.25 and 3” disks

Books
The Advanced User Guide for the BBC Micro – Bray, Dickens and Holmes, Third Edn 1983.
Structured Basic – A guide to Good Programming Style for the BBC Microcomputer – Richard Freeman, 1984.
Interfacing and Control bon the BBC Micro = Robert Johnson, Cameron Procter and Andrew Reglinski, 1984
Creative Graphics on the BBC Microcomputer – John Cownie, 1982
Assembly Language Programming for the BBC Computer – Ian BirnBaum, 1983
BBC Microcomputer System User Guide – John Coll, 1982 (supplied with the Beeb B)
Advanced Programming Techniques for the BBC Micro – Jim McCgregor and Alan Wall, 1983

Magazines

BBC Micro user / The Micro User – first 5 years 1983 on 5 annual sets + a few later "The Micro User" magazines.

I have sent an email to the "Centre for computing History" to see if they are interested. (email receipt says they could take a week to reply - so will await their reply). Mel

 

[Mel_P]

Unless stored in very stable conditions a lot of those older Acorn and BBC machines would corrode inside - if you open it up wouldn't be surprised to find green muck spreading out over the PCB/chips

The only apparent damage was to the small spade terminals - 2 of which were loose - probably due to bending when the power supply was swopped. Also it only came to life when one or two socketed chips were reseated. Presumably the legs weren't all making contact. It was kept in its box in the polystyrene moulding.

 

[Mel_P]

The composite video can be extracted via a BBC to phono adapter but I am not sure if it's colour or just b&w.

 

[Mel_P]

Not sure about all models but at least on some its just black and white.

It is but a web search shows that a small soldering mod can add colour to it at the expense of degrading the RGB DIN signal - which is incompatible with current RGB monitor signals.

 

[Mel_P]

Wish I could get my beeb going again - just a continuous beeeeep. Have lots of games on 3" and 5.25" floppies.