Retronaut

Be Part of Something New: Retronauts Assemble! retronaut.tech/retronauts-a... It's multi-platform retro computing meetup where fans of all retro systems can come together to share their passion, discover machines and games you've never used before and enjoy a day immersed in classic technology.

Many early micros were made in the USA, but buying one in 1980s Britain was a different story. The world was less globalised, our exchange rate oddly worked against us, and so many people couldn't find work. Chapter two of my tech history is all about the money. #RetroComputing

It's 1977 and a totally new experience hits me: a video game console in my own home. The Binatone Master System might look super limited today, but back then Pong on the telly was a revolution. Chapter 1 of my tech history starts right here. #RetroComputing

Hello! I've started a retro computing channel, and episode one sets up an 11-part series through my own tech history: the consoles I played as a child in the 70s, the golden age of 8-bit and 16-bit micros, and the computers that led me to a career in the arts and technology. #RetroComputing

I'm interviewing Michael Cranford interview, the legendary developer behind the iconic RPG, The Bard's Tale who is producing a new C64 RPG, The Shadow Snare! youtu.be/RRbZ7rV5KQo

We have an interview with Michael Cranford, author of seminal CRPG The Bards Tale, with a new C64 game Shadow Snare in the works. The video will release on Sunday 4th October at 7pm GMT! There will be an extended members only version with 60+ minutes of extra footage, join for this exclusive content

Quick reminder, just over a month to go to the first Retronauts Assemble, retro computing event in Surbiton UK. More info here retronaut.tech/retronauts-a...

We’re setting up a brand-new retro computing event in SW London! Join me on a quick scout of St Mark’s Church Hall in Surbiton as we check out the hall layout, scope out desk space, and sort the all-important food and fuel situation. youtu.be/j0g9pOliSkg

Stop squinting at tiny OLED screens and mashing rotary encoders. In this video, we review Omegaware’s Gotek Touchscreen Interface (GTi), a game-changing Gotek upgrade that adds vibrant box art, carousel scrolling, and instant search to your retro Amiga's floppy setup. youtu.be/KVarq1Q1cRg

The creator of The Bard’s Tale is back on the Commodore 64 and he’s finishing a game promised over 40 years ago. youtu.be/b3pitkK-OVA

Retronaut, one of your favourite retro computing channels is now morphing into two channels. Why? Well, recently I posted a video and the algorithm took it VERY personally and it tanked. So maybe I need a new outlet? Welcome to @RetronautTech2 youtu.be/Qoq-FA-FRLw

Expanding the channel AND bringing our community together, I’ve got some major updates to share. We are talking a new vintage computing event! Hit play to find out what’s in the works, how you can get involved, and what the next chapter of Retronaut looks like. youtu.be/5J3oQeGCL5E

The MNT ZZ9000 completely blew me away, so I had to try the ZZ9000AX audio expansion card! The card promises seamless Paula passthrough, CD Quality audio and direct MP3 decoding via MHI. It all looks amazing, but putting it through its paces revealed a few niggles... youtu.be/bXSClawZFao

Welcome to the Summer Kickstart BBQ at Ottershaw UK. The sun blazes down, but inside we are having a fun time with our Amigas. A highlight is a totally new Gotek development, a touch screen, allowing you to easily launch your favourite games and apps. Dive in for much more! youtu.be/59ChkzRcMRw

Thirty three years later, I finally got my hands on my dream 24-bit Amiga graphics card. The MNT zz9000 is an Graphics, Ethernet and USB monster for the Amiga, but does it deliver on its amazing promise? Let's install, test and find out if it's worth your hard-earned cash. youtu.be/NTnixC5ym-o

Retro computing History was made at the first-ever UKAG event! I attended this landmark Amstrad UK Group gathering, where I interviewed Roland Perry (the godfather of the CPC) about a never-released CPC sequel prototype! Come join the party! youtu.be/cQDlb33D6cQ

Watch as I completely rebuild a vintage IBM 5150 PC! Blessed with a rare 1982 BIOS update, we’re adding hard drive support, servicing the floppy drives, and 3D printing custom parts to create the ultimate expanded vintage powerhouse. Is this now the ultimate IBM 5150? youtu.be/XPE5QdU6H_Q

Lets head to Retrofest 2026! While the Commodore 64s and Spectrums brought back childhood memories, the stars of the weekend were obscure Graphics workstations and unique prototype 3D accelerator. It was a celebration of digital history by a community of exhibitors and creators! youtu.be/blMLEKHWRjM

It's magical, using an IBM 5150 or XT PC, but waiting on floppy disks will test the patience of even dedicated retro enthusiasts. IBM didn't design this machine to support hard disks, but modern engineering has given this 8088 PC a new lease on life. Enter the XT-CF-LITE! youtu.be/YggB2UuGRYg

On a trip to Rio de Janeiro, my wife surprised me with a visit to a hidden gem: the Museu das Comunicações e Humanidades. Housed in a historic former telephone hub, this incredible space packs over 160 years of telecommunications history into a beautifully curated exhibition. youtu.be/0ZQGoozxqd0

Proud to be the 655th 😎 on @BackerKit for The story of Ocean Software - Gold Edition. Even happier I was not 666th 👹

This IBM 5153 arrived as a wreck—scuffed, almost screw-less, and rickety. We will strip the unit to its chassis for a structural overhaul, a full respray, and badge restoration. Will we revive a legend, or just make a very expensive paperweight? youtu.be/GfCQhvvDzmg

IBM Model F: A ticking Time Bomb? Join me as I renovate my IBM Model F Keyboard. This classic is renown for wonderful tactile clickety keys and its battle tank industrial design. But its foam insert can turn to dusty over 40+ years. What will I find inside my keyboard? youtu.be/HaWPJtktcUk

Retronaut custom designed Sidekick 64's are now on sale on Ebay. Features new case design, with blue LED lighting. Supplied ready to use... www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12771495...

In my previous video, I showed you how a Sidekick64 cartridge for the Commodore 64 could transform your vintage C64. Now, the full journey of bringing this project to life. Starting with the assembled PCBs, adding custom LEDs and through the creation of a custom-designed case. youtu.be/91smH5nj3Rw

Sidekick 64 Today, I'm show-casing the Sidekick64, a Commodore 64 cartridge that’s a time machine and a synthesizer rolled into one. If you’ve ever wanted to give your Commodore 64 superpowers, this is the hardware upgrade you’ve been waiting for. youtu.be/HKOvU7Dwpxc

Kickstart Jan 2026 showcased a NEW retro 📺 Monitor product! What is it? Well, If you’re rocking a Commodore 64, 128, or Amiga, you almost certainly NEED a shiny new 1084sx Monitor to complete that retro picture. Join me and Leigh, as we discuss this exciting new project. youtu.be/XxuvEtgfbPU

After a 33 year itch, FINALLY my Amiga 2000 has my dream Piccolo SD64, giving high resolution 24bit graphics! But that itch is not fully scratched, because it's passthrough is not working. Can I use my stock video with the passthrough? Lets dive in and see what I find out! youtu.be/NfjvKdlIg_M

33 years ago I had a dream: a 24-bit graphics card for my Amiga 1500, the key to taking my 3D graphics to the next level! There was just one tiny problem… a £3,000 price tag. Fast-forward 33 years and against all odds, a Piccolo SD64 has fallen into my hands — but It’s untested! youtu.be/bqqmQgWlQX0

I have a new video, on scratching a 33 year long itch. Finally, I have my hands on a Piccollo SD 64 video card for my Amiga 2000. Does it work? Find out, Sunday 11th. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqqm...

Join me, Retronaut and a host of Youtubers, as we dive into the 2025 Big Red Arrow Christmas quiz! It's a LOT of fun, and features a reveal of a NEW Sonic The Hedgehog game... www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2nb...

Here, I kick off renovating three early IBM PCs: One IBM 5150, two IBM 5160 (PC/XT) and a classic IBM 5153 CGA monitor. We'll assess their condition, and talk about those infamous tantalum capacitors that love to fail explosively. First step, can we power the 5150 up? youtu.be/Vgp8Rqn0GSY

My XP era Dell Dimension E520 upgrades, left it's graphics card, a Zotac GT 730 with no PC slot bracket. This meant it would wobble and possible even come out of its slot. But my new Bambu Lab H2D and Autodesk Fusion have come to the rescue! youtu.be/y1TdXfYtIVk

First 3D Printer, A Bambu Labs H2D. Does It Fly or Flop? youtu.be/DFpducXlFmY

Join me in this ultimate guide to the Apple II's ProDOS. Why did it take Apple so long to replace AppleDOS, a DOS only suited to the simpler DiskII system. What did ProDOS finally bring to the legendary Apple II and why did it become indispensable to all Apple users? youtu.be/NjSWDV4UbiI

An interesting vid on how a US Uni has a dedicated retro computing lab, to help history students get direct access to working machines. Its official, retro is a THING! www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPjw...

My latest video at the Cambridge Centre For Computing History features a number of Mini-Computer emulators, and a few real ones to boot! youtu.be/Pc4iFZBmFWs

If your into Dragon 32 computers, my latest video has a short interview with enthusiast, Tony Jewell... youtu.be/Pc4iFZBmFWs

Lets head in to the Retro Computer Festival 2025 (Gaming Edition) at the Centre For Computing History. The event promised to show an array of gaming history, from the early mainframe days, through to the 80s pomp of the home micro revolution, the Amiga and the consoles vs PCs youtu.be/Pc4iFZBmFWs

The Apple II family was a pioneer! This deep dive celebrates its storage history: From the revolutionary Disk II system and the birth of micro-hard disks, through the essential UniDisk 5.25 era, all the way up to the high-density drives of the IIe and IIGS youtu.be/lq0O5LTbNiY

We're diving into titan of micro-computing: the legendary Disk II system for the Apple II. Designed by Steve Wozniak, it wasn't just another peripheral—it was a seismic shift in engineering ingenuity. Its streamlined, cost-effective design propelled the Apple II to greatness. youtu.be/AC_3EuEEPzE

Continuing our series on using an Apple IIe in 2025, today we are getting video working. Use a vintage monitor to get that authentic CRT look? Or do we use a modern flat screen? Or maybe a modern Apple II video card? Watch on to see the options you can use in 2025! youtu.be/6aFeQvIktN8

Are you interested in the NEW Commodore? Well, my latest video contains an exclusive statement from David Pleasance, the OG Commodore UK MD, about the new Ultimate 64 and the future of Commodore. Oh, and a whole galaxy of Amigas and other retro micro love 😍 youtu.be/udrnSDVbbhw

youtu.be/9NO-3ABb00k In this short series, we are going to kit out my bare-bones Apple IIe to make it fit for "modern use". Using an Apple IIe can be fun but also a little challenging in 2025.

I attended the Sept 28th Kickstart Amiga event in Ottershaw UK over the weekend. Lots of fun as per usual and custom Amiga builds dominated the day to a degree. A video is in the edit and will be released shortly!

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5 Super Upgrades for a Vintage Dell E520 Gaming PC youtu.be/VVTMMuy-a3s

Well, that was a bit random. Bought 5 Core-2-Duo era CPUs to potentially upgrade my Dell E520 (2006) and... only one of them worked and of course, it was the one I DID NOT expect to work....