Retro Computing Grotto

Finally getting around to repairing my #Compaq #Contura 4/25 laptop that has a broken hinge & #MagicSmoke came out of it when I tested it last year! I think this 'little rascal' is to blame for the magic smoke so now awaiting parts to attempt a #repair retrocomputing.co.uk/2026/03/how-to…

This used to fill me with dread when I saw a seller had used #EVRi as the courier but recently all the parcels have turned up promptly and undamaged so fingers crossed this is the same!..

@Tom_ZR_Race I've heard of people using hand cream/lotion to bring it back to life and stop it getting sticky but i've not tried that yet!

@RetroComputingG That's why they're preferred used as business devices. Have a this way bricked X300 here too :( To be kept for spares anyway... Another annoying thing on older devices is the "melting" surface Love them no matter what :)

The only problem with #Retro #IBM #ThinkPad laptops is that when there's a boot password setup, unless you know the password, you're screwed! There is a way of bypassing it to get you in to the BIOS which involves shorting out the security chip but you cant remove the password 🙁

@onmyway1133 Yes and I have a special laptop that can project on the wall using it!!

Do you have any idea , what is this used for ?

Not worth messing about too much with this one due to the damage!

Hello @WhichUK have you seen @IcelandFoods have stopped using carrier bags yet still charge £1.70 for 'free delivery'? It was £1.60 for carrier bags and packing, now it's gone up and no bags?! How is £1.70 free delivery??

Who remembers the #HirensBootCD? Are you still using older versions for #RetroComputing or are you using the modern #Enthusiasts version on modern computers? Either way, Hiren is a legend - the Banksy of the IT Support world.. retrocomputing.co.uk/2026/05/hirens…

Today I learnt how to remove the HDP (Hard Disk Password) from an #IBM #ThinkPad T42 laptop! retrocomputing.co.uk/2026/05/ibm-t4…

@brockpierson All the time back in the day! Norton did a great utility that did it 'better'!!

Be honest, did you EVER defrag your computer?

@brockpierson I sold it on it's launch day!!

Did you personally use Windows 95?

At 11:00 this morning I started the "Rapid Restore" on this #IBM T42 laptop and it's now two hours later and it's still going!! #RetroComputing #RetroLaptop #Refurbishing #LaptopRestore

@KariLawler I wonder if you can do something to make it read PAL instead of NTSC or maybe even both?

Good news, it powers on, but only got a black screen when I tried with a newer PAL disc (from what I've read it's not compatible with this older model). So, still not 100% certain if this is NTSC or the PAL version, so going to get some discs to check. Let me know what you think!

Who remembers LaserDisc💿 players? Lucky £25 carboot (flea market) pick-up today. A 1982 Pioneer LD-1100 and what seems to be new in box as well, with the laser lens cap and transport locks still in place! (cont...)

@KariLawler I remember them but they weren't a big thing here in the UK but my boss who spent a lot of his childhood in the far east says they were quite big out there at the time.

@Gammitin Ah, the good 'ol days!

It is now safe to turn off your computer. 😴 💤

@brockpierson In Jamaica, a slice of pie costs $3.50 and in the Bahamas $5.50. These are the Pie Rates of the Caribbean!! This tab was to stop someone recording over your pirate copy of the film you borrowed from your mate!..

Anyone know??

Donkeys banned from seaside resort as 100-year-old tradition ends mol.im/a/15805413 via @DailyMail What is wrong with these people?! @BridgendCBC are clearly not fit to run to the end of the road let alone a seaside resort! Hope the poor Donkeys don't have to be put down.

@Keir_Starmer I always thought @UKLabour was for working people but it seems they are just for the out-of-work people instead. I was better off under the @Conservatives!!

These are tough results for Labour. There’s no sugarcoating it. We’ve lost brilliant Labour representatives who’ve stood up for their communities. People are still frustrated. Their lives aren’t changing fast enough. We haven’t offered enough hope or optimism for the future. I was elected to change this country - tough days like this don’t weaken my determination to do that. They strengthen it.

@sharrond62 Sadly it's no surprise at all. WHSmiths sold it's high street stores because they didnt make a profit. New owners made only 1 change, the name! So it's still a business not making a profit :(

And more jobs gone…

Check out Citizen Khan's video! #TikTok vm.tiktok.com/ZNRp7D1U1/

The #RetroComputing #TestEquipment I purchased from #Aliexpress are all working well so far! retrocomputing.co.uk/search/label/r…