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What are these microchips that were taken out of my BBC Model B?

A

alexis234

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Oct 5, 2024
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In the 90's someone gave me a BBC Model B, but it didn't work properly because it kept asking the clock to be set. We took it to a repair place that took out these microchips and got it working. Does anyone know what these do? Are they any use?

Thanks

bbcchips.JPG
 
Some of the chips can be identified by me. Wordwise was a wordprocessor and Beeb Mon was a debugging tool. NFS was used to access files over the Econet network. The other two sets are where I have to guess. The OS ROMs were likely an upgrade. The 8319 has been used as a part number for floppy controller but I can't be sure that is what it and the other chips were used for.

What you had would have been a fully kitted out BBC Micro likely used for development. Some of those ROMs might be of interest to others.
 
The 8319 is a date code for the 68B54 Econet data link controller.

You wonder why the repair shop didn't put this bits back again!

The Econet device is still useful...

Have you still got your Beeb or not?

Dave
 
In reply to Krebizfan - it was given to me by and uncle who had his own computer business in the 80's so you're probably right about the fully kitted out for development. He lived abroad though so once he gave it he didn't help with getting it running.

Reply to daver: Yes, I still have the computer. We didn't know what to do at the time so just trusted the repair shop. I'm dubious about turning it on after 30 years! Also, the mains cable is a bit tacky to the touch because the plastic must be deteriorating. I don't have an old CRT TV to connect it to. Could it be connected to a modern TV or should I try to buy an old TV off ebay or something? Is there anything I should check before turning it on?
 
I see you now have 10 posts - so you are free!

I plug my BBC Master into a 'relatively' modern LCD TV via a SCART lead. Works fine.

Dave
 
How do you do a SCART lead on a BBC?

How did you conver UHF out, video out or RGB to SCART?

Yeah, I'm free! lol. Only problem now is, having such a great vintage computer community and getting help with getting them working again, I'm less inclined to sell some of my vintage tech! I might still my sell my Archimedes A4000, which doesn't work properly, as I don't see myself fixing it, and it would be good to see someone else enjoy it. I also have a Sony Trinitron 100sf CRT monitor (this was like THE monitor to have in 98) I was going to sell, but I don't know how much to charge for these. Any ideas?
 
Hi, How are you with a soldering iron?
Before powering up the beeb I would replace the RIFA caps in the power supply.
These crack open with age and short out.
 
>>> How do you do a SCART lead on a BBC?

I bought mine. It has a Beeb video DIN connector on one end and a SCART connector on the other.

There are websites that detail the wiring if you want to purchase your own connectors and make up your own cable.

EDIT: Check here: https://mdfs.net/Info/Comp/BBC/Monitor/BBCtoTV.htm.

Dave
 
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oldcomputerdave - yes, I used to be ok with a soldering iron, but would need to set aside some time to do find the old tools and do this. Is there a danger of damaging the computer if I don't replace those capacitors?

daver2 - I think I'd rather try and buy one rather than make the cable if possible.
 
oldcomputerdave - yes, I used to be ok with a soldering iron, but would need to set aside some time to do find the old tools and do this. Is there a danger of damaging the computer if I don't replace those capacitors?
Click to expand...
It's possible it could cause damage.
Its the X2 type RIFA caps they tend to go bang with age, Make sure you replace the with X2 type. Also replace the 220uf electrolytic as this tends to fail.
There are 2 RIFA's so only 3 caps to change the others are normally ok but check them for leakage and bulging.
There are kits for the main 3 caps on ebay if you want to make ordering easy.

Dave
 
The A4000 is a nice machine; but sadly, the motherboard could be in a pretty rough shape due battery leaking. Some pics of its internals could be of great help to figure out if there's battery damage.
 
Here are some pics of the Acorn I am planning to sell. Ideally I would have liked to get it working for a bit then sell it, but I don't think that is going to be possible. It worked once, but now when I turn it on the hard-drive light doesn't even flash now. It just makes a few clicking sounds on startup and that's it.


IMG_1427.JPG

Here's a pic of the only battery I could find. Seems OK looking at it. A bit dusty. Maybe a tiny bit of corrosion from different types of metal, but looking all around it, it doesn't seem to have leaked. Let me know what you think. I would prefer to sell it as buyer collects, rather than risk packing and shipping such a heavy thing.

IMG_1429.JPG
 
Damn!, yeah, it's corroded, look for that greenish goo in components or connectors around the battery. Some thin traces seems also affected and could be broken :(
You must remove the battery ASAP.
 
alexis234 said:
Here's a pic of the only battery I could find. Seems OK looking at it. A bit dusty. Maybe a tiny bit of corrosion from different types of metal, but looking all around it, it doesn't seem to have leaked.
Click to expand...

You'd be wrong. The entire section of the board behind the corroded connector is severely damaged. It looks like it spreads to the other side of the power connector as well. See all of that dull solder and black dots in the traces? That's all battery electrolyte caused corrosion. That motherboard is going to require significant repairs and likely lots of component replacement.

The "corrosion from different types of metal" doesn't happen. That's the battery electrolyte that has wicked up the connector and deposited itself on the frame.
 
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