Should we stop using old computers to save them? Amiga 500 Data Transplant

RECIPE INGREDIENTS*

SAUCES & CHEERS
• Dan Wood
• John McDermott
• Steve Jones
• Harleyfractic & The Game Closet
• Titanic Music: 8-Bit Nation
• Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
• The Internet Archive
• Gardenside Prods., Clue Detectives & Paradise Radio
• Special thanks to Ladyfractic & the Puppyfractics!
• All other media featured is marked as public domain on Google Images or used with written permission or shown under fair use law. Every attempt was made to contact others before including content. Rarely things get forgotten in the excitement so don't hesitate to let me know if so & I'll put it right.

0:00 Intro/Problem
4:11 Switcheroo/Big Question
6:42 Ladyfractic
7:29 Amiga Transplant
9:34 Will It Work?
11:50 Flicker Fixer
13:31 Teenage Letters
15:34 ADF Floppies
17:59 SysInfo Speed Test
19:36 Email/Internet
22:12 A Titanic Conclusion
24:46 End/Supporter Credits

SOME INGREDIENTS BY

© All music & content Copyright & TM Retro Recipes™ LLC 1988-2022.

*Some links may offer some peanuts to support this retrochannel but all opinions are 100% unbiased.

#retro #retrogaming #retrocomputing #dogs #gaming #gamergirl

[RetroRecipes]

I hope you find the idea of using computers half as much to last twice as long thought provoking & that it has a positive outcome for the community. And perhaps by retiring our machines temporarily, that wonderful nostalgia hit will feel even stronger when we plug them back in ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ You can help us keep these wonderful machines running & in the public consciousness by hitting the new Thanks button under the video 🙏

[mlucas]

From personal experience, the problems occur when the old computers are used infrequently. The ones I use on a regular basis never go wrong.

[nostalgiaflipnfix]

I think the MiST/MiSTer project was created to address your specific concern. The Amiga hardware has been documented so that FPGAs and whatever evolution that type of chip may take in the future can replicate the exact functions of the original hardware.

[gregcoons]

Interesting thought. Thanks for sharing it! My opinion is that you use them until they fail, then put them on display afterwards. Otherwise, these computers may just be on display and go defective anyways without the joy and fun of using them. Lastly, part of the fun of these retro computers is that they are simple enough that many people can fix / repair them. I find almost as much enjoyment in testing, troubleshooting, and repairing as I do in using them.

[Diggnuts]

I work in cultural heritage and I find that the value to get from interacting with artefacts is far more than just having an artefact be inert behind glass. Without the human element these object are just random objects. They should be used and maintained. The ship of Theseus analogy is apt, but the answer to that question is yes! A C64 that over the years has become an completely new C64 is still the same computer.. IF.. it has been used all that time!

[joeharley]

My take on this, from a classic car owner luckily enough: My car has been given a full nut and bolt restoration with new reproduction parts, it’s still a spectacular relic from 1966, it doesn’t feel modern to me, I think it’s the same with maintained vintage computers, or custom remakes to original specs: the feeling is still there, you don’t tend to get that with emulators in my honest opinion.

Plus, more and more suitable modern replacement parts are becoming available by the day! I often find the coolest retro machines, are the ones which have been heavily modified by the original owners and are quite far removed from the original machines while still having vintage charm - I believe these examples are the best because the give you a more detailed glimpse into the world of your average die-hard 80s/90s computer user than, say, a stock Commodore 64 - again, you don’t get that detail with an emulator, or a dedicated emulation machine like the C64 Maxi in my experience.

So I think rebuilds and modifications are still the way to go - while still keeping some examples preserved of course 🙂

[MrClump]

For me the retro computing hobby is about just the things you said are an annoyance. 😃 Much like classic car ownership, a large proportion of my enjoyment comes from the repairing, restoring, tweaking and fettling. Tweaking settings in UAE doesn't really scratch that itch.

[Sinclair_Research]

At 6:47 i spat my cup of tea over my monitor.. Thanks Chris!

[TheStuffMade]

Emulation is clearly the way to go for those who need a reliable setup, the c64 maxi, A500 mini or even a PC are great devices for that. However I do get a special feeling when using real hardware, the feel of the keyboard, the joysticks, the sound of the disk drive and the slightly blurry image on the CRT. Plus of course no input delay and everything looking and sounding exactly like it should.

[Landrew]

This is why I enjoy watching Techmoan and RetroRecipes. They do all the work, and I don't have all the hassel of restoring the old retro machines.

[jameslangridge]

I completely agree with this analysis. But the originals are still the “old spice” of life. Just something about having to fiddle around with things to play one game and then set it back for others, especially the Amigas…. All very much rose tinted.

[Preview]

I didn't realize this was a thing. I've got about 15 A500s sitting in my cupboard out in the garage. Never could pass up rescuing an orphan in a secondhand store.

[walteringle]

I gave up on an IT tech school thing in the early 90s because I sucked at soldering. I have spastic mild to moderate cerebral palsy. I wasn't failing the segment, I was failing the work. When failing something, to try to make myself and my group feel better, I try to bring some kind of levity to situations. A sizable traffic pileup situation left me late for class. I was only about 15 minutes late, but the other members of my class were already working the practical. By this point my physicality was showing. I walked in, took a good inhale, and proclaimed, in my best sergeant voice, "I LOVE the smell of solder in the morning!" Flux went all over all kinds of boards as people laughed. It was actually the only time I was /late/ and I'd passed out of the algebra/geometry class with flying colors without taking it. He asked about the traffic thing, and, smiling, said even employers that expect punctuality understand unforeseen circumstances (He hated late people). "Heck of an intro, though."

[danielmichalski]

Best answer to that problem would be "let's make whole documentation about how to produce every single chip from the boards of our beloved computers, to make a way for future generations to be able to build them once again". Reverse engineer what we can, aqquire old data about methods used in production, and let's write down everything we can to create one, huge database with recipes for old, abadoned technology for everyone to make, modify and keep alive.

Is it massive and incredibly hard project? Of course! But here, there are over 100k subscribers, even more are in other channels. Let's create something like "The Gutenberg Project", but for computer technology - to obtain and preserve methods of production for those old devices.

[Aerojet]

Last year, someone loaned James May a classic car to review. I believe it was a MGB Roadster. The car had been stripped down with its parts removed and converted into an electric powered vehicle. James being a collector of classic and vintage cars, had to admit, the car's performance, road handling and reliability was much better than the original, and was joy to ride. He mentioned getting hold of old parts was getting very challenging in the modern age. Rather than scrapping the vehicle, it allowed people to experience the spirit of the ride. I can relate that with your video and my C64, which is more of a collector's piece and make use of the mini, but I do miss the loading screens. As you're aware, the SID Chip is getting rarer to find these days. The people on Flee Bay are putting prices up based on supply and demand.

[coffeecuparcade]

Agreed my friend. I stopped worrying about original hardware years ago, especially when we invested in the MiSTer FPGA. I just dont see the point in spending all the money, time, resources, and headaches with the OG stuff anymore when it's this easy to replicate the exact same thing on modern hardware. Love what you've done with the mini / maxi project! 10/10 mate

[ScroogePercenter]

I actually agree with you. That's why in my opinion, the A500maxi would be significant. I like to shelve my machines once that one is out.

[TheHandheldGamer]

You have some very good points that have changed my mind. Maybe it's cool to have the real hardware to run from time to time but for the most part run it on emulation. There's are so many positives that outweigh the negatives that I don't see a reason why to keep using the real hardware.

[TSteffi]

When i got my first soundcard in the 90s, i had the longer version on my DOS PC. It goes: "I'm completely operational, and all my circuits are functioning perfectly". The voice is HAL in the Movie "2001 Space Odyssey".

[Penguins]

I'm wondering whether the blinking caps lock could be a virus symptom, I have vague memories of a some Amiga viruses causing that symptom...