In this episode from RETRO is the New Black, Wolfgang takes viewers through an unexpected but rewarding Amiga 4000 restoration. What began as an impulsive €1,000 purchase quickly turns into a deep repair and revival project, filled with surprises, setbacks, and satisfying results.
When the parcel arrives, it’s clear this isn’t just any old Amiga. The machine comes in its original box, complete with the matching keyboard, two mice, Workbench 3.0 disks, and an assortment of rare chips. Even more impressive, the case shows no yellowing—a rarity for a 30-year-old system. The excitement builds as Wolfgang opens the case to inspect the internals and discovers minimal corrosion but several failing capacitors in need of replacement.
The Amiga 4000 restoration takes a technical turn as he begins recapping the mainboard, inspecting a Phase 5 FastLane Z3 card, and diagnosing power and fan noise issues. At first, the machine refuses to boot, plagued by a misaligned floppy cable and failing caps. But after hours of patient troubleshooting, the system finally springs to life with a clean Kickstart screen and working drives.
Throughout the process, Wolfgang’s practical repairs—reflowing damaged pads, replacing capacitors, and cleaning battery corrosion—show how attention and patience can bring classic hardware back from the brink. The video also highlights the charm of old hardware design, from optical Amiga mice to switchable Atari compatibility.
In the end, the Amiga 4000 restoration is a complete success. The machine boots reliably, the keyboard feels brand new, and the front panel and keyboard now enhance Wolfgang’s main A4000 setup. For any retro enthusiast, this video delivers the perfect mix of technical restoration and genuine satisfaction.
