Throughout March I tinkered with some Video Genie computers as part of the Retro Challenge.

The idea was I would learn to use a couple of new diagnostic tools for digital hardware, and then use them to fix some of my old computers.

Here’s a summary of what I did.

I’ve now got replacement drive belts for the cassette decks in my Video Genie computers. Here I fit them and try to diagnose further cassette problems.

In my last post I tried (and failed) to fix the 9v voltage regulator circuit for the cassette interface on one of my Video Genies.

Today I had another go.  (Spoiler) I fixed it!

For the next repair, I return to the Video Genie I worked on last time.  I had fixed the CPU board, but still had problems with the power supply on the cassette interface board.

Here I have a go at diagnosing and fixing it.  Sadly it’s still a work in progress!

Today I tackled the second broken Video Genie (TRS-80 clone).

This one has an interesting home-made mod on it too, which I investigate.The main repair was quick and easy, but it still has a minor fault that I need to investigate.

A much more productive day on the Retro Challenge.

I managed to fix one of my two broken Video Genie computers.  The Video Genie (aka System 80) is a TRS-80 clone which I grew up with.

Quite a few interesting diagnostic steps in this repair!  Watch this 32 minute video for the full story.