Servicing an Expanded Atari Falcon 030, Recap, Keyboard Repair, RTC Hack Mod & Clean Up!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- This Atari Falcon 030 is really heavily expanded, but also has a couple of issues. Aside from some really awful wiring we will need to repair a corroded keyboard and take on a dead RTC chip, but first we need to recap... and MAYHEM ensues.
BIG THANKS to thanks to my kind Patreon backer Richard for letting me fiddle with his Falcon and all the rest of my amazingmy Patreon Supporters who are mentioned in the video. If you would like to help fund future videos, I would be really grateful.
Visit / markfixesstuff for more details.
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Thanks to Mark for repairing my Falcon featured in this video. There aren't many people I would trust to work on such a rare and expensive machine. Great work by a great guy. 👍
Thanks Rich. I’m willing to look after any of your spares... 😂
The innuendos are off the charts!
This is ostensibly the horniest, most innuendo-laden Falcon030 repair video I've ever witnessed. Cheers!
Who? Me? Never!!!
Great job with refurbing the Falcon. Here's a tip: you usually cut cable sleeving with a hot knife or soldering iron to get a nice finished end. Then gently re-expand it so it can slip over the wires and finish the ends with heatshrink.
That's a nice idea! I have a hot knife as well. Thank you :)
Thank you for showing an Atari Falcon 030 some love.
Thank *you* for watching!
There really isn’t enough Falcon content on TH-cam. Probably because there aren’t nearly enough Falcons in the wild, today.
You know it’s going to be a good video when 19 seconds in and already the “bird’s” top is off 😉
Matron!
Wawwaweewa, I like!
There's something about that darker grey keyboard on the Falcon that I really like. Would love to get my hands on one of these beauties one day.
Best start saving!
@@MarkFixesStuff been saving since the eighties. 😂
Owned a 520 STFM back in the day but always dreamed of owning a Falcon. Superb work on the keyboard PCB tracks ! Oh and 11/10 for innuendos !! :D
Same. I'm still dreaming as well. These innuendos go to 11...
Don't forget the re-cap the Nano PSU!!!
5:50 Interesting fact someone in german atari-home forum discovered: Cap C6 seen in this video closeup, is soldered in the wrong way, due to a mistake in Atari's schematics!
The upper point marked with + on the PCB actually has -12V, which means that the lower GND connection has positive potential and the cap should face to GND with it's positive side!
The C6 cap of the forum user collapsed (the cover of the positive side popped out!) because of this! 😲
With those innuendos maybe you should call it Carry On Fixing Stuff!
Arf arf!
This was a great video Mark, lots of close up shots of your red hot tip. The track repair was fascinating as well on the keyboard. That gloop was a bit of a dud.
Yeah. I got ripped off but fun to try!
Love your videos Mark the innuendos are off the chart in this one 😀 How can anyone have an issue with them !
Cheers Ivan!!
That RTC mod made my day! :)
I quite enjoy doing these. They’re in some of the CDi machines as well.
I loved that mod too. So smart to be able to just replace the battery in the RTC
@@MarkFixesStuff it gives some of us hope that the clock chips haven't leaked in those Falcons out there still in storage. I'm hoping it won't be a false hope!
Great repair mate, especially the keyboard fix.
Just shows there are no short cuts.
Wonderfully peppered with double entendre's I have a twelve incher I hope to show you one day...
Thanks for sharing great work
Thanks Frank and thanks for watching.
Hi Mark.
Great video mate.
To the point and concise albeit the toilet humour references erm!!!
Very well made and I really liked that you showed cleaning up the solder splatter after doing the re-caps. One of the most important steps that a lot of TH-cam'rs forget or don't realise how important it is to do so.
Subscribed now.
KEEP up the good work mate.
BTW! I'd kill for that system.
Was only a dream system for me back in the day.
Cheers Sean. I'd kill for it too! It's not mine.
I can't stop the innuendo. My patrons literally expect it and moan when I forget LOL.
@@MarkFixesStuffHave you ever heard of the Sovereign SuperSports 1977 consoles mate?
@@sausageeater9357 no mate. Is it one of the many sports labelled pong clones?
@@MarkFixesStuff yes it is. So hard to find working versions of these now but I found one, the video output on them is awfully weak though
@@sausageeater9357 a lot of them have the older style paper and wax capacitors as well.
Great work mark, I see you in one of the cave vids. You is a genius. Expected you to have more views tbh.
Hey, thanks! Yeah, it's a small hobby so I can't complain really!
Awesome vid :) You need a Wowstick to help with those 50 keyboard screws :) Way easyer to use than the Aldi one :)
No entendres left undoubled...
I wonder if I could do a triple entendre?
So much innuendo, my inner 5th grader can't resit to giggle 😁
Would love to my Falcon(s) shined up recapped and repaired! (plus have a CT60 card I would love to get setup in one machine) I am able to get stuff done but I am not a proper tech. (Would you be into working on a few more?) I own an operate a production studio with a proper mixing console and a room full of vintage synths that I would like to restore it to. I used to have my Falcon 030 as my main writing and recording machine. I have all the the hardware audio goodies! - Retro Computing Wizard
At the moment I am overwhelmed with stuff for videos and "real life" so I'm not really into a position to take on extra stuff I'm afraid. The good news is that my very good friend and repair expert Ian can help you at Mutant Caterpillar - www.mutant-caterpillar.co.uk/shop. He is a "proper business" and I have 110% confidence in his work and abilities.
@@MarkFixesStuff Thank you for his info!
great video mark, loved all the not so subtle innuendos lol someone has probably asked but what you going to put in the floppy bay. or is it a patented RMC mouse house? lol
Ah, unfortunately it's not my machine! I think Richard has an actual floppy drive that will live in it. Not sure to be honest!
@@MarkFixesStuff ahh fair does. lovely machine.. i'd love to spend some time looking around the system.. we need a falcon core for the MiSTer
Still working on a original 030 with 14MB running only Cubase for MIDI. It controls my whole studio. I have no problems what so ever. Do I have to recap? Or wait until a problem occurs? Thanks for the video. Nice work! I was a repairman for Atari The Netherlands. Lovely to see the machine is still alive on the planet.
I think if it works you are fine :)
Sounds like a nice setup.
@@MarkFixesStuff Never chance a winning team :-) www.autonomy-music.com
the best way to fix those tracks is to put solder paste over it and use a jot air gun or soldering iron to just retin the whole trace...
The finest Atari computer second only to the great 800.
I think the Chinese sold you fake conductive paint, the one I buy in Farnell costs £37 for 5 grams. I only use it if the wire is not an option or, because it's quite resistive, in small fixes.
I love the 800 but the 400 is really nostalgic for me because my cousin had one with Caverns of Mars and Star Raiders. I definitely got ripped off on the “silver” paint.
Caverns of Mars is a hidden gem, and nostalgia for me because a mate owned the 800. A real beast of a computer, full keyboard, 2 cartridge slots and 4 joystick ports! We both had the Atari ST (the lesser Falcon).
No school like old school.
Ain't no party like an old school party!
I have a 520STFM and a 1080STE. Would love a Falcon!
They are SOOOOO expensive though. I can only hope for a donation one day and I’m not holding my breath either !
Great work as always, Marko!
Cheers Rickardo!!
Awesome repair, really nice work 😊
Thanks the Dev!
Very nice video. I think you know this already, because I think you had the polarity right in the video. C24, the large 470uf in the modulator area is marked incorrectly and installed backward from the factory. This shows when installing new caps as they begin to bulge in that location over time.
Yes thank you for letting me know. It’s amazing how many of these little quirks exist in the older machines.
@@MarkFixesStuff I just re-watched the video sober 7 months later, seems your new cap is installed the same orientation as factory. Double check this as it is probably bulging/leaking by now.
@@Storm_. cheers, I’ll get it checked out.
The CT60 adds a massive amount of power to the Falcon compared to when it was made. Also, the Dallas RTC's are Still made and the settings have to be updated when the are changed.
I couldn’t find one anywhere when I made the video. Now I can find loads. Quite expensive though!
Richard took me through the settings software. We had the card running at 100mhz iirc. Amazing stuff. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Do you have a falcon?
@@MarkFixesStuff I do, but mine is strange as it is a UK Falcon but I am in the USA (Has US Internal PSU) so I am lucky to be able to use all of the UK / European software as they were not common in the USA. It will output fine to VGA and RGB (I use component adapter) just not RF which I do not care about. I have a CT60e too with 512mb and a 100mhz rated 68060, but never installed them a I want to keep an internal PSU, and did not like the Pico touching the RF Shield. Did you see my other reply with a link to a video of a case mod I am working on that will allow the Falcon (and STF/STFM/STE and Falcon) to be used like a desktop with no hacking to the case or keyboard?
@@10p6 I didn’t see the link. I’ve been a bit snowed under with this weeks video production and I’m yet to do a comments run. It sounds very interesting. I’ve yet to get a Falcon myself but maybe one day I’ll get a generous benefactor like Ctrl-Alt-Rees.
@@MarkFixesStuff Maybe one day you will get lucky getting one. :-) I heard that a new accelerator like the Amiga Vampire is in the works for the STE, so an STE coupled up with my new case would be awesome. Here i a link to the video of it th-cam.com/video/atw3FYKzog4/w-d-xo.html
Old school way - always the right way! =)
100%! Thank you for watching :)
Fantastic vid- enjoyable
Great work, as always. Very enjoyable video.
Great work. Really interesting stuff.👍
Thanks Douggie! I do like these rarer machines a lot but it’s a bit wobbly sphincter if it goes wrong.
In the mood to work another bird? I got one that really needs love. White flickering screen, no power on floppy, no hdd access and a video connector contact/ pin needs replacing. Power light is on. Managed to swap out the RTC & socket but it didn't fix the problem. Might be caps, gals or a right crappy soldering job on my part. I dunno.
Best conductive paint I have used is the stuff with real Silver in it, usually comes in a glass vial I fixed Amiga keyboards with it and resistance is low too
I thought it would be interesting to try this cheapo stuff because I couldn't believe the price. Turns out I was robbed hahah! Where do you get your paint from? I bet it's expensive?
@@MarkFixesStuff I used www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Conductive-silver-paint-conductive-varnish-2-ml-Repair-kit/221952478434?hash=item33ad660ce2:g:nIsAAOSwZFdaYKyS
Its not too expensive it has 1gram of pure silver, also heard that circuit works pens work well but they are very pricey at around £60 per pen, uk.farnell.com/chemtronics/cw2200mtp/conductive-coating-pen-8-5g-grey/dp/604021
That’s not bad at all!! Purchased!
@@MarkFixesStuff My first 16 bit was an Atari ST, I remember seeing a Falcon back in the day used to live close to Goodmans International Public Domain Library and Mike the owner had one as soon as they became available
There are programs to wipe and set the NVRAM.
I really have dirty mind, becuse I focus more what you say during the most inappropriate situations than on the cleaning itself! x)
Awesome video. So do you fix and recap stuff for people as i have a gamegear i need recapped but i have zero soldering skills
I’m not able to at the moment because of my schedule, but I do know some decent people via Facebook that can.
@@MarkFixesStuff OK cool I have sent a request to join the facebook group using the link above so hopefully be able to find some help that way thankyou :)
Nice.
It’s not an MFS video until you’ve commented Franko!
Too bad it would be cumbersome to re-mount the RTC coin socket outside the case. I was thinking of how some Amiga 2000 owners have done that, but they have more exterior case mounting surface to work with...
I suppose they last a long time, so not too much hassle.
Most Falcon owners have the case off once a week anyway!!! :P
Hi, do you repair Atari Falcon motherboards as a service for payment? Thanks!
Hi! I actually don’t but I recommend Ian Gledhil at Mutant Caterpillar 100% - www.mutant-caterpillar.co.uk/shop/ tell him I sent you!
27:40 well that is unfortunate
tee hee.. that was for Velociraptor.
What happened to the flopy drive?
My 486 board has one of those rtc/battery things. It does need replacing so maybe I'll have better luck?
Hack it to bits! Nothing to lose!?
shame you couldnt repopulate the whole board with wangs
serious suggestion for future use........conductive paint for heated rear windscreen track repairs......ive used it to bridge a good 3/4 inch break before and those screen track take a relatively hefty current
Wang cap..... is that some form of prophylactic? xD Great machine you got there... A shame Atari released it way too late in the timeline.
Pop a cap on yo wang! Yeah. Very late and rare machine.
@@MarkFixesStuff I hand a Wang PC and like a horses ass I got rid of it....regrets are high
Ain't that the truth. Since the STe was delayed until 1990, it probably should've had a 68020 in it, VGA graphics, and either the Ensoniq audio chip that the Apple IIgs and SNES had [which the Atari Panther would've also had] or a YM2151 or derivative. That would've at least shut up the Amigans for the most part... well, not about multitasking...
@@TheJeremyHolloway I'm glad they did not bother with the Panther.... it was pretty weak. However, though the Jag was the right way to go, they made way too many boo boos on it's design.
I enjoy innuendo as much as the next bloke, but um....yeah.
Who’s the next bloke?
I love Frazzles and can often be found eating an entire 8 pack in one go.
@@MarkFixesStuff Haha, been there done that! Bacon flavoured burps for the rest of the day 😁
"Tried to pull it off but it just wouldn't come" - fnarr fnarr
Mate... you find these even when they don’t exist!
@@MarkFixesStuff I clearly have an even worse "Viz" mind than you :)
New sub here.
The video was pure tech porn.
Welcome to the channel! I aim for tech pron, so I glad it hit the spot!
How many Falcon was sold?
No one really knows for sure, but some people looked at company records and estimate 13,000 to 14,000
That pcb reconnect paint is rubbish never has worked the metal paint pens don't work either old skool is the best way 😊👍
Yeah. Lesson learned. Made for some good footage though.
@@MarkFixesStuff yes it did made me say in my head nooo that wont work but it was good to watch 😊
Well, the demo is basically an Amiga-demo, so I think the Atari-people would have some other preferences there ;) (Sure, it's cool that the demo runs on Atari, but I think the Falcon has a few really good demos aswell.
Also, Midi on the Amiga was quite easy to build, but it didn't have it built-in. Also, Amiga-Sound was 8-bit. (yes, yes, you could tune it to pseudo-14-bit, and we all did).
Nice repair though, I'm doing basically the same with a battery-corroded 486-board now. It's ... not fun :)
Yeah, it was a kind of joke with some of my viewers to use the Amiga demo :P
Ugh... battery corrosion on 90's motherboards is the worst. Are many traces dead?
Shame these buggers are so rare.
I have used very thin cables, and after scraping the loos solder mask, i then put UV Solder Mask on it, that is how i did it.
I really need to get some solder mask paint. I always end up working around not having any and then forget until the next time.
@@MarkFixesStuff Yeah i know what you mean.