Tim’s Retro Corner returns with another detailed hardware adventure in his latest video, Denise Board Repair Chronicles. This time, Tim investigates a faulty Denise board sent by his patron Craig, who asked for help diagnosing why it refuses to power up. What begins as a straightforward inspection quickly transforms into a deep troubleshooting journey that showcases both patience and precision.
Tim starts by checking the basics: chip orientation, missing resistors, and odd component choices. It doesn’t take long before he uncovers a critical issue — a mismatched MC1489 chip where an MC1488 should be. This discovery marks the first major clue in the Denise board repair process. But even after replacing it, the system remains lifeless.
Next, Tim methodically explores the power circuitry, measuring voltages, tracing signals, and identifying dead zones across the board. He notices the power switch circuit isn’t behaving as expected, prompting him to analyze schematics in detail. What follows is a deep dive into the logic signals, reset lines, and data buses. Each test leads him closer to the culprit, revealing swapped resistor packs and damaged traces that need delicate rework.
After several rounds of repair — including replacing sockets, re-soldering resistors, and cleaning connections — Tim finally discovers the main fault: a misaligned component that had silently shorted power to the wrong circuit. Correcting it revives the board, restoring video output and system function.
The Denise board repair comes to life at last, flashing the familiar Amiga startup colors. Tim’s methodical troubleshooting, aided by his trusty oscilloscope and infrared camera, highlights the importance of persistence and accurate diagnostics.
Watch Tim’s full Denise Board Repair Chronicles episode to experience each moment of discovery and see the satisfying finale when the once-dead board finally boots up again.
