Hello, my brilliant Fixers! Today, I’ve got a treat that’s been waiting a very long time – an Atari 130XE, gifted to me by none other than fellow retro enthusiast and YouTube genius, Ctrl-Alt-Rees. This isn’t just any old Atari 130XE; it’s one that’s been gathering dust and, let’s just say, “might be a bit fubar.” Well, I couldn’t resist finally cracking it open to see what mysteries (and challenges) it might hold.
Let’s dive into the world of retro repair, armed with some nifty new thermal imaging gear that even Maverick from Top Gun might envy!
What’s Inside? A Brief Adventure with the Atari 130XE
As you might guess, the plan was to see if this machine might be a “quick fix” while I was packing things up. Spoiler alert: It was not. This Atari clearly needed some extra TLC, as well as time and parts that might be beyond my reach right now. But never fear; the journey is the reward, and this one comes with a lot of nerdy joy, a few surprises, and some good old thermal imaging fun.
Bringing in the Big Guns: The TopDon Thermal Camera
To aid our quest, I brought along a little helper: the TopDon Thermal Camera. This isn’t just a repair tool; it’s a gadget that lets you see temperature variations in all their neon glory, perfect for those hard-to-spot overheating spots and icy components that might be causing trouble. And who can resist pretending to be a thermal imaging superhero? (If you squint, I even look a bit like a retro repair Maverick in action…)
Want to snag one of these beauties for yourself? Here’s where you can get your hands on one:
UK
- TC001 (Android): TopDon on Amazon UK
- TC002 (IOS – Lightning port): TopDon on Amazon UK
- TC002C (IOS – Type-C): TopDon on Amazon UK
US
- TC001 (Android): TopDon on Amazon US
- TC002 (IOS – Lightning port): TopDon on Amazon US
- TC002C (IOS – Type-C): TopDon on Amazon US
A Thermal Imaging Cameo Worth Watching
Armed with the TopDon, I got to work. From odd, overheated components to mysterious cold patches, the Atari gave me plenty to analyze. It’s a mix of serious repair work and just a bit of cheeky thermal detective work. This camera revealed some real hotspots and helped me find the bits that might need some serious attention.
(There may or may not be a Top Gun reference or two—let’s just say we’re playing with the “Need for Heat” rather than speed.)
So, Have I Given Up?
Absolutely not! Just think of this video as the start of a journey. While the Atari 130XE might not be fully functional by the end, there’s plenty of ground to cover in a future video. I’m planning to whip out the oscilloscope to see which parts of this classic beast are still kicking and which might be pushing up daisies.
And if you’re into retro repairs, thermal toys, or just seeing an Atari go through an adventurous (and possibly final) MOT, this one’s for you. Stay tuned for more, and don’t forget to check out the TopDon if you fancy getting a bit of thermal heat-vision action in your own repair kit.
Catch you in the next one!
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