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pr1uk
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Posts: 220
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:01 pm
Location: Strood, Kent. UK

Re: Montreux RIP

Post by pr1uk »

Dave C wrote:Hi Mike,

Sorry to hear about the Montreux going dark.

Are there a few technically competent electronic repairman around the country that we could send these units to for repair? I have not found one yet.

When I click on the Chinese listings that are "too good to be true" I receive an error messaging saying that ebay has removed the listing.

Regards,
Dave
Your see lots on the bay this time of the year new members little or no sales and selling everything cheap. They will get some money up front then disappear never buy from anyone who as no good feedback and I mean old feedback. These scanners often get friends to pretend that bought goods and leave good reviews.
Be careful out there guys
King Performance Chess Computer M830
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pr1uk
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Posts: 220
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:01 pm
Location: Strood, Kent. UK

Re: Montreux RIP

Post by pr1uk »

Dave C wrote:Hi Mike,

Sorry to hear about the Montreux going dark.

Are there a few technically competent electronic repairman around the country that we could send these units to for repair? I have not found one yet.

When I click on the Chinese listings that are "too good to be true" I receive an error messaging saying that ebay has removed the listing.

Regards,
Dave
Your see lots on the bay this time of the year new members little or no sales and selling everything cheap. They will get some money up front then disappear never buy from anyone who as no good feedback and I mean old feedback. These scanners often get friends to present that bought goods and leave good reviews.
Be careful out there guys
King Performance Chess Computer M830
Larry
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Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:42 am
Location: Gosford, NSW Australia

Post by Larry »

Well guys, in case you've been wondering what became of the
Montreux in question, I did take a punt on being able to fix it, based
on the information given by Mike on this forum. We struck a deal in
a few personal messages, money changed hands, and so did the
Montreux. It arrived today, and what I suspected was the problem
turned out to indeed be the case. I'm not particularly techo but I do
have some experience with the Montreux/Risc2500 machines. The
GAL display chips do have a life expectancy of perhaps 18 years,
according to reports, supposedly assuming an average amount of
use. The Montreux's are now 22 years old. The Montreux GAL chips
are a simple push fit, unlike the earlier risc2500 GALS, which were
soldered in place. On most chess comps the display circuitry is in
parallel to the rest of the circuit so they can function minus the display.
However, the Montreux/risc2500 displays are wired in series, it seems,
because when they go bad the comp spits the dummy.
I just happened to have a spare set of GALS. After putting them I
ordered my wife from the room. We all know women are bad luck.
Then I pressed the power on button...and was greeted with a row
of lights coming on down the 'a' file, then across the first rank, then
came the sweet startup jingle and the display came to life.
https://a1-images.myspacecdn.com/images ... 00x300.jpg
https://a4-images.myspacecdn.com/images ... 00x300.jpg
https://a4-images.myspacecdn.com/images ... 00x300.jpg
None of us want these old soldiers to end up in landfills, and it's good
to add this one to my collection. Complete and in good condition it is,
including the box and adaptor.
happy camper... :D
Larry
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Steve B
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Post by Steve B »

Congrats Larry
the real astonishing part of your happy tale is this...
Larry wrote: I just happened to have a spare set of GALS
why on earth would you have spare GAL chips??
im collecting for 40 years and the only spare chips I have lying around the house are Potato and Nacho
:shock:

Stunned Regards
Steve
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chesspcmac
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Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2012 2:58 am
Location: Richmond, Virginia

Post by chesspcmac »

Im glad is ALIVE!!!

Im happy that a Montreux was saved and a little extra money in my pocket also helps. Now I have a nice B&W center speaker in my home theater.


Nice doing business with Larry, regards
Mike
"Sir, the slowness of genius is hard to bear, but the slowness of mediocrity is insufferable"

Henry Thomas Buckle
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paulwise3
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Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Post by paulwise3 »

Well done Larry, enjoy your Montreux!

Repair regards,
Paul
2024 Special thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12741
2024 Special results and standings: https://schaakcomputers.nl/paul_w/Tourn ... 25_06.html
If I am mistaken, it must be caused by a horizon effect...
Larry
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Posts: 2269
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:42 am
Location: Gosford, NSW Australia

Post by Larry »

Steve B wrote: why on earth would you have spare GAL chips??
I do include in my collection a few different variants of the risc2500.
As you know, it comes in a few versions. And of course, the Montreux
is a black risc2500 with a few parameter changes in the move generator
function. Since the GAL chips have a limited shelf life, it pays to be
ready. GALS are likely to become rare in the years ahead. So, when I
ordered GALS, I ordered extra.
L
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Steve B
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Post by Steve B »

Larry wrote:
Steve B wrote: why on earth would you have spare GAL chips??
I do include in my collection a few different variants of the risc2500.
As you know, it comes in a few versions. And of course, the Montreux
is a black risc2500 with a few parameter changes in the move generator
function. Since the GAL chips have a limited shelf life, it pays to be
ready. GALS are likely to become rare in the years ahead. So, when I
ordered GALS, I ordered extra.
L
i thought it was hard to find these chips these days
could you post a link to a place to order the exact chip?
Thanks Regards
Steve
IvenGO
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Location: Moscow, Russia

Post by IvenGO »

I have chips and dumps for both RISC2500 and Montreux
kosterix
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Post by kosterix »

mike i also feel bad for you. It's a sad loss. Normally one would bury it but that would not be good for the environment. Get another one, burn a candle for the dead, and sell at any price on ebay.
Strive for avoiding anything flat that emits light. Love the unhackable chess computer with real pieces and a tactile feel. I do not collect, I live.
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