New Zealand Vintage Computer Forums

Not sure where to put this so thought i may as well put it here and let you all see the build of a new old classic PC..

it's all through hole so no smd.. i will document the build for you all to see..

Parts..

All parts were available wen i got them, some from Mouser some Element14 and rest (because of price) Aliexpress..

cost of parts was about $240 incl p&p + the $20 for the 2 boards so $260... when you look at the cost of a good expanded MSX2/2+ the cost is double+ that price and it's all new..

so i hope you will enjoy my trip in building this awesome little pc..

P.S i have another batch of 10 sets of boards coming in as sold out of last lot.

and it begins... lol
sockets first...

as you may see above i have used some strip headers and not a socket.. this is because the chip that is used in that area is 28 pin but the normal and slim version dont fit.. so to not ruin a good socket i used strip headers.. you can see the 2 other 28 pin sockets that didn't fit at the bottom of the pic.

so waiting on some sockets ... so have started on keyboard as have all the key switches..

one tip i will give you is pre-tin all your switch legs as it helps alot..

the reason i say this is the way i put mine is as to align them ... i found the switches and holes were a little sloppy (big) and the switch could be crooked.. what i did was tack 1 leg and align the switch and solder the other leg than solder the first.. another way would be to use a little hot glue under the switch but found my first way faster as did not have to wait for glue to set.. but use what you think works best for you..

first 40 switches done.. time for a break.. not bad 40 mins to do 40 switches.. oh one thing i found helpful was a bowl to sit the keyboard on while soldering as i don't have a board holder or 3rd hand to help hold it up. the one i used was just one of those noddle bowls

so finished all 72 switches and put in the 3 diodes as well

next was the cap, led & resistors

next was all others but the keyboard connector as still waiting for that to come in..

now a part that takes abit of mucking around was the stabilisers for the long keys..

all the keys use the same setup (the space bar kit you only use the bar)

first pick is what each uses

as can be seen there are 5 pieces to each stabiliser. there are 2 mounts the bigger black plastic, 2 inner holders and 1 bar.

as you can see there are holes that have to line up for these to work right.

be careful as they can go together either way around.

the inner has 2 sides; 1 side has 1 long slot the other 2 holes

the mount has a hole at one side and a slot (and if you look close a clip for the bar at bottom)

the long inner slot and mount slot face the same way..

i have showen the inner fully up in the mount

you then slide the short part of one bar into the mount slot, then pull out just a tadd and point / move the cut end up so the bar clips into the holder as in the picture..

if you cant get to to work you may have the inner the wrong way around..

next put the other side on just make sure it's the right way around.. if you get it right when you pull one of the inners up the bar arms should move with it on both sides..