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General Category => Amstrad CPC hardware => Topic started by: Bryce on 12:16, 25 August 18

Title: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Bryce on 12:16, 25 August 18
Hi all,
    had to share this abomonation with you all. I was sent this device for repair this week. The owner tells me that it had already been repaired by someone else (who is confident enough to even advertise his repair services online). Finding the issue didn't take long, I only had to open the case....
This is how NOT to install an IDC header. Ignoring the fact that the solder joints look like they were done with a cigarette lighter and a hot knife, and the cable was cut with a blunt scissors, the connector is only half pressed down and then held in place with some sort of modelling plastic.  :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2: :picard2:

(@Gryzor: We need a "Fill the page with Facepalms command")

Sad... but luckily still repairable this time. I won't name and shame the repair guy, as it wasn't my money he took for this disgraceful pile of shite, but the Britannia owner might like to inform the world where not to send their treasured hardware for repair in the future.


Bryce.
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: ComSoft6128 on 13:01, 25 August 18
MMM.

"And there was a great wailing and gnashing of teeth"......in Glasgow.

Public naming and shaming is not something I am comfortable with, but if anyone wants advice on where not to send precious hardware - PM me for advice.

Or to put it another way, if repairs are required ask Bryce first.

No Cheers,

Peter
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Chinnery on 13:03, 25 August 18
Wow.
Even my sausage fingered repair techniques are not that bad...
[most of the time anyway  :D ]
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Chinnery on 13:06, 25 August 18
Quote from: ComSoft6128 on 13:01, 25 August 18Public naming and shaming is not something I am comfortable with, but if anyone wants advice on where not to send precious hardware - PM me for advice.
m u s t  k n o w.
m u s t   r e s i s t   b e i n g   n o s e y!!!
m u s t  k n o w! ! ! !
n o...
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Bryce on 18:34, 25 August 18
Sorted.

Bryce.

Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: ComSoft6128 on 05:02, 26 August 18
That is a very pleasant sight indeed!
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Gryzor on 14:03, 27 August 18
OH DEAR GOD WHAT IS THAT THING!!!


I don't know if I'm capable of doing a better job, but I sure as hell just WOULDN'T do it. Know thy limits, people.


The contrast with the 'after' photo is phenomenal.


Also, this crap modelling plastic could be sugru, which is a very nice material if moulded correctly, very strong and with a long after-repair life. But I'm pretty sure it was never advertised as an electronics thing.


Concerning the guy who did this, I'd have absolutely no qualms naming him; it'd be a service to the community...

Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Gryzor on 14:04, 27 August 18
PS


10 print "facepalm"
20 goto 10
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Bryce on 14:21, 27 August 18
So if I type CLS all the posts will disappear too? :)

Bryce.
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Gryzor on 14:41, 27 August 18
Quote from: Bryce on 14:21, 27 August 18
So if I type CLS all the posts will disappear too? :)

Bryce.



Working on it. I have some trouble building a connector to control SQL from BASIC, but I'm getting there.


Slowly.
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Bryce on 15:05, 27 August 18
Quote from: Gryzor on 14:41, 27 August 18

Working on it. I have some trouble building a connector to control SQL from BASIC, but I'm getting there.


Slowly.
You're in the right thread then, you're not the only one that has issues with building connectors.  :D

Bryce.
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: CPC_Fan on 19:37, 27 August 18
Well what a mess that was  :o


But a great repair and recovery job by the wonderful Bryce  :)
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: MikeSDK on 22:37, 27 August 18
it's amazing what a shoddy job that was..

doing something like that is fine if it's your own stuff.. but someone else's? geez  :picard: .. I'm glad you could rectify this Bryce because.. damn
and what the heck had he/she done with the ribbon cable to put it in that state?
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: LambdaMikel on 07:37, 28 August 18
Damn! I recognize I good handyman if i see one! Plastic putty - that's smart. I am always using silly putty, hot glue, and staples  :laugh: ;D
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Bryce on 08:06, 28 August 18
Quote from: LambdaMikel on 07:37, 28 August 18
I am always using silly putty, hot glue, and staples  :laugh: ;D

Let me guess... To fix a scratched CD?

Bryce.
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: LambdaMikel on 15:10, 28 August 18
Quote from: Bryce on 08:06, 28 August 18
Let me guess... To fix a scratched CD?
No, for VHS  tapes and audio cassettes.  ;)
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: ComSoft6128 on 12:45, 18 September 18
Rombox working fine - Happy days :D
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Bryce on 13:05, 18 September 18
Send over that camera and I'll see if I can fix the Auto-focus :D

Bryce.
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: LambdaMikel on 06:18, 19 September 18
Quote from: Bryce on 13:05, 18 September 18
Send over that camera and I'll see if I can fix the Auto-focus :D
You're going to use plastic putty, right?
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: MikeSDK on 07:05, 19 September 18
Are you kidding? For a case like that vaseline should do the trick nicely :)
Title: Re: Britannia ROMBox and how NOT to fix them...
Post by: Bryce on 07:33, 19 September 18
A bit of lens polishing with fine sandpaper and she'll be right as rain.

Bryce.
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