iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Andrew's Tech Break

Canadian Vintage Computer Federation @cvcfed.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Our favorite archivist from @archive.org, @textfiles.com will be at #VCFMontreal ! Grab your tickets now! Save 10$! events.humanitix.com/vcf-montreal...

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Canadian Vintage Computer Federation @cvcfed.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Pioneer Tom Jennings, creator of FidoNet will be at #VCFMontreal. Don’t miss out and grab your tickets while at presale price! events.humanitix.com/vcf-montreal...

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Canadian Vintage Computer Federation @cvcfed.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Look who’s coming to VCF Montreal in November! LGR (@lgr-yt.bsky.social) The Williams Grab your tickets while it’s on presale! events.humanitix.com/vcf-montreal...

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

For #SepTandy giving my Tandy PC family a boost with this 2500 SX-20. Time to dig in and see what I have to work with. #retrocomputing #msdos #tandy

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Sinclair QL VGA adapter and cable built. But black screen on power on. That empty socket I thought was just an open optional IC, is the PAL chip. So got to source a replacement MC1377P. #retrocomputing #sinclair #sinclairql #vcfmontreal

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

For the Sinclair QL video output, I’m going to try the Video_IF_QL_VGA project. VGA is a lot easier to work with this side of the globe. github.com/holmatic/vid... #retrocomputing #sinclair #sinclairql #vcfmontreal

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

UGH! What is this garbage two piece socket. Well that was frustrating to delicately clean off the board and replace. #retrocomputing #sinclair #sinclairql

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Working to resurrect a #SinclairQL for #VCFMontreal and couldn’t figure out why D4 was being pulled down to ground. That was a frustrating search. Wonder how early in the life of the computer did this happen or was it like that from day one. #retrocomputing #sinclair

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vcfederation.bsky.social @vcfederation.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

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Canadian Vintage Computer Federation @cvcfed.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

#VCFMontréal 2.0 — Nov 7-8 Confirmed speakers & guests: Al Lowe (Leisure Suit Larry) Ken & Roberta Williams (Sierra On-Line) Clint Basinger (LGR) Tom Jennings (Fido/FidoNet) Christine Finn (Artifacts) ReBoot ReWind team cvcfed.org/vcf-montreal-2-0/invites-guests/

cvcfed.org

Conférenciers et invités – Fédération Canadienne des ordinateurs d'époque

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Time to start thinking of VCF Montreal 2.0 (@cvcfed.bsky.social ). This time around a British Invasion is in order. #retrocomputing #vcfmontreal #vcf #sinclair #amstrad #acorn #bbcmicro #enterprise64

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Canadian Vintage Computer Federation @cvcfed.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

📟 Call for exhibitors / Appel aux exposants! VCF Montréal — Nov 7-8, 2026 Champlain College, Saint-Lambert (10 min from Montreal / à 10 min de Montréal) Show off your retro treasures. Faites briller vos trésors rétro. cvcfed.org/vcf-montreal-2-0/ #VCFMontreal #RetroComputing

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Canadian Vintage Computer Federation @cvcfed.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Did you know cvcfed.org works with old browsers, too? Give it a try!!

cvcfed.org

Fédération Canadienne des ordinateurs d'époque

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

The old SCSI Quantum needed a little physical help to get spinning. But even after spinning up the drive is not detected. So I guess this SE/30 is getting a BlueSCSI going forward. #retrocomputing #macintosh #se30 #vintagemac #MARCHintosh #bluescsi

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Evidence of broken solder points on the Analog board. So a pass across all them is a good idea to get this SE/30 restored. #retrocomputing #macintosh #se30 #vintagemac #MARCHintosh

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

The SE/30 board is re-capped. Time to move on to cleaning and re-assembly. Definitely this Mac was well used. #retrocomputing #macintosh #se30 #vintagemac #MARCHintosh

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Most of these caps just popped off the board. All pads look good and tested to their respective vias. So time to re-cap this SE/30 board. #retrocomputing #macintosh #se30 #vintagemac #MARCHintosh

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Looks like I scored with the board in the SE/30. It is a survivor with no battery leakage and no battery damage. And other then a little fuzziness around the caps it looks good. Time to clean it up and change those caps. #retrocomputing #macintosh #se30 #vintagemac #MARCHintosh

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Just in time for #MARCHintosh I picked up a system I’ve been looking for a while – a Macintosh SE/30. Fingers crossed the motherboard is a survivor and not eaten away by leaking battery and caps. #retrocomputing #macintosh #se30 #vintagemac

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Manufacturers of laptops back in the day really didn’t give them much of a chance with minimal plastic reinforcements to hold the screen. The pegs were completely cracked past the reinforcements. These plastic blocks should hold the screen a lot better. #retrocomputing #pc5700

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Grabbing a backup of this Sharp PC-5700 while the HDD is still working in case there is any original software on it. This hard drive has a had a tough past. #retrocomputing #pc5700

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Another hole in one of my classic computer keyboards filled. My Commodore CBM now has a proper Shift Lock key. #retrocomputing #commodore #commodorepet #commodoreCBM

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Gotek assembled and installed. CPC6128 buttoned up and cleaned up. And I got a proper SCART cable and converter. Time to explore this machine. #retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

SUCCESS!! One dead memory chip and a dodgy socket for the PAL replaced and this CPC 6128 looks to be all fixed. All tests good and program loads from tape still work. #retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

IT’S ALIVE! I used the jumper trick to bypass the PAL and hardcode only the first 64k and the machine works. I was even able to read some programs from tape. So this basically means I have a failure in the upper memory or the PAL. #retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

I figured since the CPC 6128 output is RGB the easiest way to get video out for now is a VGA cable. So wired one up. Unfortunately first power on and I get a grey screen. So the system is outputting something. Let the diagnostics fun begin. #retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Exterior inspection of this Schneider CPC 6128 looks good. Very clean and no signs of wear. #retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128

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vcfederation.bsky.social @vcfederation.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

VCF Montréal 2026 Survey Results: English: bit.ly/vcfm2016post... French: bit.ly/vcfm2016post...

bit.ly

VCF Montreal 2026: Post-Event Survey

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Ron’s Computer Videos 🧍‍♂️🖥️📼 @ronscompvids.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Did you attend Vintage Computer Festival Montréal? Non? Let's chat with Nicolas Maillouski and friends about this new VCF event in Canada! www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpiI...

youtube.com

Let's Chat VCF Montréal w/ Nicolas Maillouski and Friends!

YouTube video by Ron's Computer Videos

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Wow! Surprising local pickup – a Schneider branded CPC 6128. I know very little about these computers. Looks like I’m learning some German for this one. Now to figure out how to power it and get video out. Time to watch some Youtube videos. #retrocomputing #amstrad #cpc #cpc6128

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

My Apple III is complete! I wasn’t sure I was ever going to find a 9 key for it. But the gaping hole is now plugged. Combined with a proper Monitor III it’s looking good. #retrocomputing #apple #appleiii #apple3

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Nicolas Mailloux (Maillouski) @nicolasmailloux.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Series of pictures took on Sunday during #VCF #Montreal

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

NABUs are prepped and ready to join Leo’s NABUs at VCF Montreal for some networked retro gaming. # retrocomputing #VCFMTL #VCF #vcfmontreal

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Unpacking a NABU computer like it’s 1983. Check to see all is good for VCF Montreal. #retrocomputing #nabu #nabupc #nabuca #nabunetwork #vcfmontreal

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Never been so nervous re-assembling a keyboard then this Amiga 4000 keyboard with these little rubber cups. What a crazy design. #retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

UGH! The power supply on the STM5500 decided to die. Clicking of protection. Was fine a month ago. And just before VCF Montreal. The joys of old retro computers. #retrocomputing #stm5500

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Cleaning another keyboard – this time the one for the Amiga 4000. These are tough keys to pull. #retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

A little re-cap work on the Amiga 4000 CPU card. Careful scrubbing of the pads and they came clean and accepted some new solder for the new caps. And I figured the 4000 could use a boost with the addition of a 68882. #retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

Inspection continues on the 4000. The caps on the board look good but on the CPU card – Oh Boy! And something fishy happened on one corner of the CPU. #retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000 #commodore

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Oh Boy! Looks like this was a just in time rescue. The battery corrosion is creeping but not too bad. A little vinegar and it’s looking like it’ll clean up. Fingers crossed. #retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Good news the Amiga 4000 is not an empty box. But it is dirty – YUCK! Smoker. #retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

WOW! Early Christmas for me. A pickup from the dream list - an Amiga 4000! I never thought I’d have one of these in the collection or at a price within my budget. I’m floored this is now mine. Hopefully no nasty surprises inside. #retrocomputing #amiga #amiga4000

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Well this Mackintosh U-2200 is all fixed up and restored. This rare piece of Canadian history is ready for VCF Montreal. #retrocomputing #mackintosh #appleii #unitron #vcfmontreal

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Andrew's Tech Break @andrewstechbrk.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Unfortunately missing from this U-2200 is the original 80 col card (U-2063-2). But the ROMs are online and I was able to burn them and use them on this clone card. The system has an auto-switch function. #retrocomputing #mackintosh #appleii #unitron

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