Nicolas Mailloux (Maillouski)
@nicolasmailloux.bsky.social
I am a retro-computer geek
VCF Montreal Showrunner
https://vcfed.org/vcf-montreal/
Maker of things
Car enthusiast
Airplane pilot
CEO of Micronick and PLM 2
Ham callsing VE2UTK
VCF Montreal Showrunner
https://vcfed.org/vcf-montreal/
Maker of things
Car enthusiast
Airplane pilot
CEO of Micronick and PLM 2
Ham callsing VE2UTK
Just went full @adriansdigitalbasement.com on it. Looks like the D8251A is the culprit. Can’t find one on any of my spare boards.
November 16, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Just went full @adriansdigitalbasement.com on it. Looks like the D8251A is the culprit. Can’t find one on any of my spare boards.
RS-232 Chips on the Board:
MC1489 / DS1489 = Receiver
RS-232 → TTL
MC1488 / DS1488 = Driver
TTL → RS-232
MC1489 / DS1489 = Receiver
RS-232 → TTL
MC1488 / DS1488 = Driver
TTL → RS-232
November 16, 2025 at 12:31 AM
RS-232 Chips on the Board:
MC1489 / DS1489 = Receiver
RS-232 → TTL
MC1488 / DS1488 = Driver
TTL → RS-232
MC1489 / DS1489 = Receiver
RS-232 → TTL
MC1488 / DS1488 = Driver
TTL → RS-232
Pin 2 and 3 of the RS232 interface are going each in one of the chips there. Gotta go read the datasheet.
November 16, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Pin 2 and 3 of the RS232 interface are going each in one of the chips there. Gotta go read the datasheet.
1. Insert small tool in hole.
2. Carefully lift the crt cover just over the main casing. Slide it backwards so the brightness adjuster pin does not break.
3. Undo CRT connector (and be amazed by my 3D modeling skills of recreating the locking mechanism.
2. Carefully lift the crt cover just over the main casing. Slide it backwards so the brightness adjuster pin does not break.
3. Undo CRT connector (and be amazed by my 3D modeling skills of recreating the locking mechanism.
November 16, 2025 at 12:25 AM
1. Insert small tool in hole.
2. Carefully lift the crt cover just over the main casing. Slide it backwards so the brightness adjuster pin does not break.
3. Undo CRT connector (and be amazed by my 3D modeling skills of recreating the locking mechanism.
2. Carefully lift the crt cover just over the main casing. Slide it backwards so the brightness adjuster pin does not break.
3. Undo CRT connector (and be amazed by my 3D modeling skills of recreating the locking mechanism.
I think it’s time I investigate why this guy doesn’t send anything on its TX pin.
November 16, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I think it’s time I investigate why this guy doesn’t send anything on its TX pin.
October 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Will we ever see windtraps ?
September 21, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Will we ever see windtraps ?
Best band ever! Thanks for the show @vkc.sh, @actionretro.bsky.social
@tayloramyshow.bsky.social
Awesome people right there! Hope to see you for #VCFMONTREAL !
@tayloramyshow.bsky.social
Awesome people right there! Hope to see you for #VCFMONTREAL !
September 15, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Best band ever! Thanks for the show @vkc.sh, @actionretro.bsky.social
@tayloramyshow.bsky.social
Awesome people right there! Hope to see you for #VCFMONTREAL !
@tayloramyshow.bsky.social
Awesome people right there! Hope to see you for #VCFMONTREAL !
Rammy had escaped, and had to play shepherd! @adriansdigitalbasement.com, better keep an eye on him next time :)
September 15, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Rammy had escaped, and had to play shepherd! @adriansdigitalbasement.com, better keep an eye on him next time :)
Always a treat meeting @ronscompvids.bsky.social ! See you in Montreal!
September 15, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Always a treat meeting @ronscompvids.bsky.social ! See you in Montreal!
@lgr-yt.bsky.social brought more stuff than he now has hair ! Great meeting you, Clint!
September 15, 2025 at 7:31 PM
@lgr-yt.bsky.social brought more stuff than he now has hair ! Great meeting you, Clint!
@actionretro.bsky.social Totally normal booth! See you at #VCFMONTREAL, Sean!
September 15, 2025 at 7:31 PM
@actionretro.bsky.social Totally normal booth! See you at #VCFMONTREAL, Sean!
SUN-1 Computer!
My car was worth a lot more for a brief moment :)
My car was worth a lot more for a brief moment :)
September 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
SUN-1 Computer!
My car was worth a lot more for a brief moment :)
My car was worth a lot more for a brief moment :)
Yes, you can take the measurements with only the monitor cover off.
Here’s the picture. The two arrows point to two different « grounds ».
The left one goes to chassis, the other to some other independent circuits probably.
Here’s the picture. The two arrows point to two different « grounds ».
The left one goes to chassis, the other to some other independent circuits probably.
September 3, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Yes, you can take the measurements with only the monitor cover off.
Here’s the picture. The two arrows point to two different « grounds ».
The left one goes to chassis, the other to some other independent circuits probably.
Here’s the picture. The two arrows point to two different « grounds ».
The left one goes to chassis, the other to some other independent circuits probably.
However, CRT is dead. Not even tube filament. I would need voltages from a working one for this header
September 1, 2025 at 8:34 PM
However, CRT is dead. Not even tube filament. I would need voltages from a working one for this header
So it begins….
September 1, 2025 at 7:45 PM
So it begins….
I burnes the eproms from @paulrickards.bsky.social website, but the phone will no boot. I have originally the AA07 romset and they do work. It’s really not my first time burning eproms, but something must be different or I’m doing something really stupid.
Picture of my board included.
Picture of my board included.
September 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM
I burnes the eproms from @paulrickards.bsky.social website, but the phone will no boot. I have originally the AA07 romset and they do work. It’s really not my first time burning eproms, but something must be different or I’m doing something really stupid.
Picture of my board included.
Picture of my board included.
Looking for ideas to repair this membrane keypad with « squished down » keys.
August 25, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Looking for ideas to repair this membrane keypad with « squished down » keys.
@paulrickards.bsky.social I fabricated a new PSU. It powers up but the membrane keyboard seems like something flattened it overtime. Keys are stuck pressed.
August 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
@paulrickards.bsky.social I fabricated a new PSU. It powers up but the membrane keyboard seems like something flattened it overtime. Keys are stuck pressed.
Unusual post. I love cars and I just acquired that 1997 SE Saloon Corolla from Japan. The car has 41000 km and simply looks and feel brand new.
I want to name it Ojisan because it really is a grandpa’s car!
I want to name it Ojisan because it really is a grandpa’s car!
August 23, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Unusual post. I love cars and I just acquired that 1997 SE Saloon Corolla from Japan. The car has 41000 km and simply looks and feel brand new.
I want to name it Ojisan because it really is a grandpa’s car!
I want to name it Ojisan because it really is a grandpa’s car!
Pictures of its innards. Intel 8085 based. No leaking battery.
I miss the PSU, but just ordered a meanwell and will fabricate one.
I miss the PSU, but just ordered a meanwell and will fabricate one.
August 17, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Pictures of its innards. Intel 8085 based. No leaking battery.
I miss the PSU, but just ordered a meanwell and will fabricate one.
I miss the PSU, but just ordered a meanwell and will fabricate one.
@jeriellsworth.bsky.social Just got this! I don’t know exactly what it is yet, but it looks cool!
August 15, 2025 at 9:30 PM
@jeriellsworth.bsky.social Just got this! I don’t know exactly what it is yet, but it looks cool!