Crashed
@crashedfiesta.bsky.social
Looks like a Meanwell RQ-125B would do the job for Torch and Cifer (probably a bit overkill for the Cifer to be honest). And not too expensive at £33 from Mouser.
February 8, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Looks like a Meanwell RQ-125B would do the job for Torch and Cifer (probably a bit overkill for the Cifer to be honest). And not too expensive at £33 from Mouser.
Just looking for the right model. 🙂
February 8, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Just looking for the right model. 🙂
The Retro gods giveth, and the Retro gods taketh away.
The Cifer is dead. I suspect the power supply. The Gotek wouldn't turn on, the screen stayed resolutely dark, and the power supply was making unexpected noises (no magic smoke though).
Sad face. 😔
The Cifer is dead. I suspect the power supply. The Gotek wouldn't turn on, the screen stayed resolutely dark, and the power supply was making unexpected noises (no magic smoke though).
Sad face. 😔
February 8, 2026 at 4:12 PM
The Retro gods giveth, and the Retro gods taketh away.
The Cifer is dead. I suspect the power supply. The Gotek wouldn't turn on, the screen stayed resolutely dark, and the power supply was making unexpected noises (no magic smoke though).
Sad face. 😔
The Cifer is dead. I suspect the power supply. The Gotek wouldn't turn on, the screen stayed resolutely dark, and the power supply was making unexpected noises (no magic smoke though).
Sad face. 😔
Another Torch Triple X success. Yay! My heath-robinson SCART lead now works properly.
The picture quality is TERRIBLE but that's likely down to me using two CD4011s to combine HSync and VSync. But it's proper colour!
Once I get some more time (2027 maybe?) I'll try and improve it..
#torchtriplex
The picture quality is TERRIBLE but that's likely down to me using two CD4011s to combine HSync and VSync. But it's proper colour!
Once I get some more time (2027 maybe?) I'll try and improve it..
#torchtriplex
February 7, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Another Torch Triple X success. Yay! My heath-robinson SCART lead now works properly.
The picture quality is TERRIBLE but that's likely down to me using two CD4011s to combine HSync and VSync. But it's proper colour!
Once I get some more time (2027 maybe?) I'll try and improve it..
#torchtriplex
The picture quality is TERRIBLE but that's likely down to me using two CD4011s to combine HSync and VSync. But it's proper colour!
Once I get some more time (2027 maybe?) I'll try and improve it..
#torchtriplex
Oh. That was easy.
I took the unix file from the original Torch XXX system (which is a later version) and copied it to the OpenTop image.
Reboot.
Run 'mknod' as per the pic and the Gotek is just there, ready to mount... Crikey.
#torchtriplex
I took the unix file from the original Torch XXX system (which is a later version) and copied it to the OpenTop image.
Reboot.
Run 'mknod' as per the pic and the Gotek is just there, ready to mount... Crikey.
#torchtriplex
February 6, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Oh. That was easy.
I took the unix file from the original Torch XXX system (which is a later version) and copied it to the OpenTop image.
Reboot.
Run 'mknod' as per the pic and the Gotek is just there, ready to mount... Crikey.
#torchtriplex
I took the unix file from the original Torch XXX system (which is a later version) and copied it to the OpenTop image.
Reboot.
Run 'mknod' as per the pic and the Gotek is just there, ready to mount... Crikey.
#torchtriplex
OK. So, I'm going to be a Grandad.
Which is nice. 😁
Which is nice. 😁
February 3, 2026 at 5:57 PM
OK. So, I'm going to be a Grandad.
Which is nice. 😁
Which is nice. 😁
A picture of Harry, judging me for enjoying a tasty snack while failing to provide him with a tasty snack.
#FeelGoodFriday
#FeelGoodFriday
January 9, 2026 at 5:51 PM
A picture of Harry, judging me for enjoying a tasty snack while failing to provide him with a tasty snack.
#FeelGoodFriday
#FeelGoodFriday
Reposted by Crashed
when you accidentally become important at work
January 9, 2026 at 3:34 PM
when you accidentally become important at work
So mine is a Torch Triple X which is a 68010 based Unix workstation. It was launched about 1985. This particular one was used in a fire service control centre at some point. 🙂
January 4, 2026 at 8:36 PM
So mine is a Torch Triple X which is a 68010 based Unix workstation. It was launched about 1985. This particular one was used in a fire service control centre at some point. 🙂
The Torch has been granted special permission to enter the dwelling within Crashed Towers...
January 4, 2026 at 5:31 PM
The Torch has been granted special permission to enter the dwelling within Crashed Towers...
Those Executels look very cool, I'll give you that!
December 31, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Those Executels look very cool, I'll give you that!
Torch Triple X success! Sort of.
Can't get the SCART connection to work - I just get a black screen.
But then I wondered about monochrome composite. And, after a bit of research (not chatGPT) I cobbled together some resistors on my cobbled together Vsync generator and, boom. There you go. 😁
Can't get the SCART connection to work - I just get a black screen.
But then I wondered about monochrome composite. And, after a bit of research (not chatGPT) I cobbled together some resistors on my cobbled together Vsync generator and, boom. There you go. 😁
December 31, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Torch Triple X success! Sort of.
Can't get the SCART connection to work - I just get a black screen.
But then I wondered about monochrome composite. And, after a bit of research (not chatGPT) I cobbled together some resistors on my cobbled together Vsync generator and, boom. There you go. 😁
Can't get the SCART connection to work - I just get a black screen.
But then I wondered about monochrome composite. And, after a bit of research (not chatGPT) I cobbled together some resistors on my cobbled together Vsync generator and, boom. There you go. 😁
Working on a thing for the Torch. A Hsync and Vsync combiner circuit so I can use a SCART telly.
Of course I don't have any CD4077s with the required XNOR gate and I'm too lazy to order any. But I do have CD4011s which are quad NAND gates. Five NAND gates make an XNOR gate. Yay! 😁
Of course I don't have any CD4077s with the required XNOR gate and I'm too lazy to order any. But I do have CD4011s which are quad NAND gates. Five NAND gates make an XNOR gate. Yay! 😁
December 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Working on a thing for the Torch. A Hsync and Vsync combiner circuit so I can use a SCART telly.
Of course I don't have any CD4077s with the required XNOR gate and I'm too lazy to order any. But I do have CD4011s which are quad NAND gates. Five NAND gates make an XNOR gate. Yay! 😁
Of course I don't have any CD4077s with the required XNOR gate and I'm too lazy to order any. But I do have CD4011s which are quad NAND gates. Five NAND gates make an XNOR gate. Yay! 😁
Excellent use of the Soldering Position Utility Device.
December 17, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Excellent use of the Soldering Position Utility Device.
The Torch TXXX plot thickens. A disk image I have allows the floppy drive to be mounted but it uses SCSI ID 1, LUN 2.
In other words, the Gotek is accessible. So far, read only, but it proves it's possible. Hmmm....
In other words, the Gotek is accessible. So far, read only, but it proves it's possible. Hmmm....
December 13, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The Torch TXXX plot thickens. A disk image I have allows the floppy drive to be mounted but it uses SCSI ID 1, LUN 2.
In other words, the Gotek is accessible. So far, read only, but it proves it's possible. Hmmm....
In other words, the Gotek is accessible. So far, read only, but it proves it's possible. Hmmm....
Been toying with the Torch Tx floppy's. Finally accepted that without re-compiling Unix it's unlikely the Gotek will ever work other than for Key Disk duty.
But I got a blank disk image that works great on the BlueSCSI. Had to remove files from an existing image which was mounted in Linux.
But I got a blank disk image that works great on the BlueSCSI. Had to remove files from an existing image which was mounted in Linux.
December 8, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Been toying with the Torch Tx floppy's. Finally accepted that without re-compiling Unix it's unlikely the Gotek will ever work other than for Key Disk duty.
But I got a blank disk image that works great on the BlueSCSI. Had to remove files from an existing image which was mounted in Linux.
But I got a blank disk image that works great on the BlueSCSI. Had to remove files from an existing image which was mounted in Linux.
Wish I could come along to this one but it's a bit too far from Crashed Mansions (and I'm booked elsewhere this weekend too). 🙁
I shall have to paddle up to the shed and have another go at installing Unix on the Torch to cheer myself up. 😁
I shall have to paddle up to the shed and have another go at installing Unix on the Torch to cheer myself up. 😁
November 14, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Wish I could come along to this one but it's a bit too far from Crashed Mansions (and I'm booked elsewhere this weekend too). 🙁
I shall have to paddle up to the shed and have another go at installing Unix on the Torch to cheer myself up. 😁
I shall have to paddle up to the shed and have another go at installing Unix on the Torch to cheer myself up. 😁
Thought I'd have a go at building a SCART lead for the Torch Triple X. Turns out, it outputs separate Vsync and Hsync signals which need to be combined somehow...
CD4077 as a hack perhaps? 🤔
Nothing is ever easy (which is why it's fun). 🙂
CD4077 as a hack perhaps? 🤔
Nothing is ever easy (which is why it's fun). 🙂
November 12, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Thought I'd have a go at building a SCART lead for the Torch Triple X. Turns out, it outputs separate Vsync and Hsync signals which need to be combined somehow...
CD4077 as a hack perhaps? 🤔
Nothing is ever easy (which is why it's fun). 🙂
CD4077 as a hack perhaps? 🤔
Nothing is ever easy (which is why it's fun). 🙂
One of the few games I bought (rather than being gifted - obviously 🏴☠️😛). I'd seen the Amiga version and I wasn't expecting much but I was blown away at what the speccy could manage.
November 7, 2025 at 8:26 PM
One of the few games I bought (rather than being gifted - obviously 🏴☠️😛). I'd seen the Amiga version and I wasn't expecting much but I was blown away at what the speccy could manage.
I'm having to restrain Mrs Crashed from putting the decorations up... 🫣
November 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM
I'm having to restrain Mrs Crashed from putting the decorations up... 🫣
Special shout-out to those of us who couldn't give two squits about halloween.
Here's a picture of a ladybird instead.
Here's a picture of a ladybird instead.
October 31, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Special shout-out to those of us who couldn't give two squits about halloween.
Here's a picture of a ladybird instead.
Here's a picture of a ladybird instead.
PS - Proud to be a grumpy old man.
October 30, 2025 at 5:11 PM
PS - Proud to be a grumpy old man.
The most annoying thing I find as I get older, is being on a train and someone is bashing away at their laptop as if they were defusing a nuclear crisis. If you didn't finish it before 5 then it can wait till tomorrow. Switch off FFS and give everyone else (i.e. me) some peace on the journey home.
October 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The most annoying thing I find as I get older, is being on a train and someone is bashing away at their laptop as if they were defusing a nuclear crisis. If you didn't finish it before 5 then it can wait till tomorrow. Switch off FFS and give everyone else (i.e. me) some peace on the journey home.