– Retrodrömmar
The original Xbox, launched by Microsoft in 2001, is still a popular console to run homebrew games and emulators on. However, as with any old hardware, the console’s weaknesses are starting to show. One of those weaknesses is the optical drive, a common source of error on old video game consoles. One common errors are that the DVD-tray is stuck, and won’t eject. Another common…
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I bought a Compaq Contura 420C laptop for a fairly good price at Swedish eBay. The downside? Both hinges were broken. It seems like this is a common problem on these old laptops. In this post I will show how I repaired them. It is by no means a pretty fix, since I lack the tools to weld metal pieces together. But it works. I…
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In this post, I will make a full disassembly of a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), including cleaning the 72-pin cartridge connector. If you experience “pink” screen or having problems running games, this is the first measure to get your NES in working order again. The unit I am working on is an ex-rental. This unit has never been opened before, and is in excellent condition,…
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As described in another post, I’m using a Compaq Presario CDS 520 as a MS DOS gaming machine. I bought it in almost perfect condition from Swedish eBay, except for a broken “right arrow” key on the keyboard. In this post I will describe how to fix that. First, separate the top and bottom of the keyboard by removing the three marked screws below. As…
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If you recieve a message “Your Xbox can’t recognize this disc. Make sure it’s an Xbox game, DVD movie, or audio CD. Also check to see if the disc is dirty or damaged. Remove the disc to continue.” from your old Xbox, it might be time to clean the laser. In this post I will show you how to open your console, and clean the laser….
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In this post I aim to disassembly and clean a dirty Nintendo Gamecube. To do this, you need a special Gamebit screwdriver, and a couple of ordinary Philips screwdrivers + some cleaning products (soap, water, alcohol). Follow this guide step by step and assemble in reverse order. The Gamecube is relatively easy to work with since it is a modular build, similar to the Dreamcast….
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A common fault on Nintendo 64-consoles is that the reset button gets jammed. When it is pressed, the console won’t start. In this post I will show how to fix the reset button. You will need: A Gamebit special screwdriver for Nintendo products (available at Wish, Aliexpress, eBay etc) A cleaner (isopropanol, or soap and water) A lubricant (I prefer silicon spray) Step 1: Open…
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In this post we will take a closer look on the inside of a Dreamcast controller. We bought a (dirty) controller on Swedish eBay that we cleaned while taking the pictures below. The Dreamcast controllers received mixed reviews: some love them, others hate them. The controller is constituted by a analog joystick, and a regular digital controller. Four buttons, one start button, and two “triggers”…
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I recently bought a Playstation 2 guitar, model Red Octane PSLGH on Swedish eBay. The seller described that the white “strummer” only works one way: upwards. It make sense since most player press it downwards while playing, so I suspected a simple mechanical issue would be the cause. To scroll menus and song lists, the strummer has to work both ways, and I play by…
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When the Playstation 2 was released by Sony in 2000, it would become the most sold videogame in the world, with 155 million units sold. The console marked a clear shift in the videogame market, when SEGA stopped creating hardware since the Dreamcast could not compete with the PS2. The sequel to the 1994 Playstation had several properties that made it popular, including a DVD-player…
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