Vintage Computers & Electronics

Collecting & Preserving the past

I've been a lifelong collector of electronics with a special interest in early 8-bit computers of the 1980's, as well as analog sound storage media. I have a growing collection of both that I've been adding to for many years now. I find these pieces of electronics history at garage and estate sales, thrift shops, and auctions from around the Texoma area. I often refurbish some of these types of items and sell them on my eBay page when I have stock available.  Below are some particular categories for which I have great interest, and also offer services to repair these items if it is economically feasible.    

I also specialize in working with much more modern technology! It is just that I have a soft spot for these older technologies, and I want to make sure that some of our recent history is preserved and remembered for future generations.     

 

Restoration Services for vintage audio components

Typically, vintage audio components have moving parts that are dirty, lacking lubrication, and needing alignment. Being stored for decades in humid, dusty locations takes its toll on these devices. Rubber components, in particular, perish over time. This renders these devices typically inopererable. Also common is a weakening of capacitors (caps) in these components which can cause power supply failures. Don't be surprised (or alarmed) if a puff of smoke erupts when you first plug in an older device for the first time in many years. The good news is that much of this damage can be repaired for a minimal cost.                    

• Cleaning & aligning cassette playback and record heads
• Turntable belt replacement & speed calibration
• Cassette deck belt replacement
• Capacitor replacement (recap) for audio equipment
• Pinch roller replacement & restoration
• Power supply repair & replacement
• Reel-to-Reel player cleaning, lubrication & repair

Computer Repair Services

Just like vintage audio gear, classic computer models can suffer from a similar range of failures in their components. Often these problems can be repaired with modern components to bring them back into perfect working order. If you have an older PC, Mac, Apple II, Commodore 64 or similar computer, it can be brought back to life to be used once again. Some older computers also have the ability to use modern storage technologies like flash memory instead of relying on hard disks and floppy drives that are well past their useful design life.            

• Flash drive upgrades for failed hard disks
• Floppy drive cleaning & replacement
• Power supply replacement or repair
• Installation of expansion cards for functions the computers did not originally have (sound cards, network adapters, etc.)
• Operating system reinstallation or upgrades