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Restoring 128k Premium machine - shane.crozier - 23-06-2026

   

I have been lucky enough to be able to purchase a 'working' 128k Microbee Premium system - however luck comes in different types as it would seem.

I received a new power supply and hooked it up to a Microbee Upscaling video Converter / HDMI to my screen and the only thing displayed is the infamous solid block in the top left of the screen ...

   

Reset key doesn't seem to do anything, and applying power with the M key depressed seems to have no effect either - all and any suggestions appreciated .

RE: Restoring 128k Premium machine - ChickenMan - 24-06-2026

Its trying to boot from a floppy, plug one in with a good boot disk. Dont assume the Reset or any other key actually works.

Also, try changing the BN56 rom for a BN60, without a disk connected it should boot to a Menu.

RE: Restoring 128k Premium machine - MbeeTech - 24-06-2026

You can also try shorting the contacts of the M key while powering on to see if you can get into the monitor.

RE: Restoring 128k Premium machine - shane.crozier - 24-06-2026

(24-06-2026, 01:06 AM)ChickenMan Wrote: Its trying to boot from a floppy, plug one in with a good boot disk. Dont assume the Reset or any other key actually works.

Also, try changing the BN56 rom for a BN60, without a disk connected it should boot to a Menu.

Sadly   - I dont have an eprom burner on hand to give that a go at the moment.

I will separate my Gotek from the enclosure it's in and see if hooking it up to the bee directly will make any difference.
(24-06-2026, 09:47 AM)MbeeTech Wrote: You can also try shorting the contacts of the M key while powering on to see if you can get into the monitor.

I will give that a go, its possible reset and M are both dead, perhaps not all of the keys but those would have had some use in it's previous life.

If not, it (sadly just the bee) might be up for a holiday to see you in Vic for a keyboard fix. Tongue

RE: Restoring 128k Premium machine - shane.crozier - 25-06-2026

   

Hmm, when I pull the boards out and short the M key I do get into monitor when I attach power, which probably means the reset and M key at least are stuffed - a quick clean made no difference..

I am also a little concerned that even with the gotek attached to the ribbon cable and a bootable image in it I still can't get it to boot past the block cursor...

I remember you quoting a keyboard replacement for me earlier Ewan - I cant find the message - can you let me know roughly what that would cost so I can budget for it in my next pay?

RE: Restoring 128k Premium machine - shane.crozier - 25-06-2026

(25-06-2026, 12:08 AM)shane.crozier Wrote: Hmm, when I pull the boards out and short the M key I do get into monitor when I attach power, which probably means the reset and M key at least are stuffed - a quick clean made no difference..

I am also a little concerned that even with the gotek attached to the ribbon cable and a bootable image in it I still can't get it to boot past the block cursor...

I remember you quoting a keyboard replacement for me earlier Ewan - I cant find the message - can you let me know roughly what that would cost so I can budget for it in my next pay?

Edit: Ok. so the Gotek issue has been resolved now that I have the drive select, cable and jumpers all lined up correctly - the system boots to a gotek image, but once it gets there, there arent enough working keys on the keyboard to do much  Blush    

RE: Restoring 128k Premium machine - ChickenMan - 25-06-2026

Fantastic to see the 'bee is actually working, nice. Sounds like you definitely need the new Keyboard kit to finally get the unit 100% working. Ewan has one in stock - https://microbeetechnology.com.au/store/keyboard-replacement-kit-standard-non-premium.html

RE: Restoring 128k Premium machine - MbeeTech - 25-06-2026

Hi Shane.
As Chickenman has mentioned, there is one kit in stock right now, and if you follow the link to the item in the store, you will see they are $110 ea.
If you want it fitted, it will cost $80 to have it done. The instructions are available for download from the product page, so have a look and see if it's
something you want to do yourself, or whether you want to ship your Bee over here.

RE: Restoring 128k Premium machine - shane.crozier - 26-06-2026

(25-06-2026, 10:00 AM)MbeeTech Wrote: Hi Shane.
As Chickenman has mentioned, there is one kit in stock right now, and if you follow the link to the item in the store, you will see they are $110 ea.
If you want it fitted, it will cost $80 to have it done.  The instructions are available for download from the product page, so have a look and see if it's
something you want to do yourself, or whether you want to ship your Bee over here.

Hi Ewan - I have purchased the kit - because of the large number of keys that are marginal or just dead, I think I will send it your way next week - I get paid Wednesday so probably be with you early the week after - in the meantime I will use it to generate a signal so I can continue to work on the Amber Monitor.

RE: Restoring 128k Premium machine - MbeeTech - 07-07-2026

Hi Shane.
Your bee is on it's way back to you with the keyboard kit all done. I have also updated the boot rom to BN60 for you (the old rom is packed with the machine) and found another 'B' keycap
for you that matches the colour of the rest of the caps rather than the sunburned one you had.