The Blog

Aiwa Mega-CD CSD-GM1: More Power Problems and Next Steps

Nix McRetro // 21st October 2012 // Categories: Repairs, Sega, YouTube

I’m coming down with a terrible cold, so I think it’s time to give the Aiwa Mega-CD repairs a rest for the weekend. If I keep working on these things while feeling this miserable, I’ll probably end up breaking something else! There are still quite a few problems to investigate,... Continue reading

Aiwa Mega-CD CSD-GM1 Repairs Part 2: Power Rail Testing

Nix McRetro // 20th October 2012 // Categories: Hacks, Repairs, Sega

The video above isn’t actually the one I originally intended to upload. YouTube messed up the upload, and while trying to recover it, I accidentally deleted the original. Gone! Never mind, enjoy some transformer rantings instead. At least I’ve got something to show for the weekend. I’ve pulled the transformer... Continue reading

Wyse Technology WY2112-40 286 Overview

Nix McRetro // 16th October 2012 // Categories: IBM PC, YouTube

I’ve picked up a rather substantial Wyse 2112-40 286 computer from eBay, and it’s certainly an interesting machine. Imagine a tower case that’s been pushed over onto its side and you get some idea of the size. It’s enormous! Inside we’ve got a 12.5 MHz 80286, eight expansion slots and... Continue reading

Aiwa Mega-CD CSD-GM1 Sound Quality Comparison

Nix McRetro // 15th October 2012 // Categories: Repairs, Sega, YouTube

Something isn’t quite right with the sound coming out of the Aiwa Mega-CD CSD-GM1. In fact, it sounds terrible! Thin, tinny and with practically no bass whatsoever. Where has all the amplification gone?! I’m doing a little comparison between the audio from the Aiwa units while running Mega Drive cartridges,... Continue reading

Aiwa Mega-CD CSD-GM1: Repairing the Cracked Mainboard

Nix McRetro // 15th October 2012 // Categories: Repairs, Sega, YouTube

Back to the Aiwa Mega-CD CSD-GM1! This poor machine has suffered some pretty spectacular damage to its mainboard, with cracks running through the PCB and taking quite a few copper traces with them. Time to see whether we can put it back together again! I’ve already repaired three damaged traces... Continue reading