CRG’s latest video features the Amiga 4000 Rescue, a nerve-wracking restoration of Glen’s long-coveted Amiga 4000. The project begins with a corroded motherboard pulled from eBay and takes viewers on a rollercoaster of retro repair. From battery rot to triumphant boot-up, this is Amiga 4000 Rescue at its most intense.
From Dream to Disaster
Glen had always dreamed of owning an Amiga 4000 since its heyday in ’90s magazines. With prices skyrocketing, he thought it would remain a dream—until a battered, non-working board surfaced online. Thus began the Amiga 4000 Rescue. Corroded by a leaking battery and worn by time, the board was a mess. But Glen was determined.
Up Close: Damage Report
Microscopic inspection reveals extensive corrosion: missing clock crystals, broken traces, and audio circuitry decimated by bad caps. SIM slots are barely hanging on. The Amiga 4000 Rescue becomes a surgical process of inspection, testing, and cautious optimism.
Disassembly and Despair
With flux, heat, and solder in hand, Glen strips the affected areas. SIM slots are pulled, vias are checked, and the Dremel comes out to tackle crusty solder mask. Dozens of traces are gone. But the cleanup reveals what’s salvageable—and what’s not.
Patchwork Engineering
Using PCB Explorer, Glen begins the slow process of adding patch wires. He drills out rotten vias, bridges broken traces, and painstakingly reconnects internal layers. Each trace is tested. Each wire is placed with intention. Amiga 4000 Rescue becomes a full-blown engineering feat.
Holding It Together
To lock down the fragile wiring, Glen applies solder mask, acting as both insulation and adhesive. With new ICs glued and soldered into position, continuity tests return encouraging results. The board is still rough—but now it’s complete.
Power On: Moment of Truth
With RAM installed, a debug card in place, and power flowing from an ATX PSU, the Amiga 4000 comes to life. A sync signal appears. Then a boot screen. Glen is stunned. After weeks of work, the machine responds.
From Bare Board to Functioning System
Final steps include recapping the rest of the board, replacing the real-time clock, and testing memory and I/O ports. Audio was silent—until a single failed resistor was replaced. With RAM fully recognized and everything passing Mega Test Kit diagnostics, the Amiga 4000 Rescue is nearly complete.
Final Thoughts
The journey from corroded wreck to functioning system took more than four weeks. Though the board is now usable, Glen plans to migrate everything to a clean replacement board gifted by a generous supporter. Until then, this patched Amiga 4000 serves proudly.
