Retronaut
Exploring retro Computers, Consoles, tech and games from the 1970s to the early 2000s.
My name is Chris Thomas. My life has been a journey through an amazing evolution in computing. Firstly as a consumer of the new games consoles and micro-computers in the 1970s and 80s. To working in various branches of computer based media production, from PC video games, to visualisation and movie VFX.
I want to share my experiences and passion for computing with you. And explore the range of wonderful retro computers, consoles and software that made the modern world the fun place it is to be today.
You can help this channel grow, by supporting us on Patreon
Retronaut
My XP era Dell Dimension E520 upgrade, 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 when inserting a DVI plug. But my new Bambu Lab H2D and Autodesk Fusion have come to the rescue! I'm going to model a precision replacement bracket in Fusion and print a high quality solution that will get that Zotac card securely locked into its slot.
1 week ago | [YT] | 0
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Retronaut
I've been waiting to get into 3D printing for A DECADE. So I am very privileged that (literally) my first hands on experience with a 3D printer, is with my new Bambu Lab H2D. Why do I need a 3D printer? Well I explore retro tech, and old plastics break, adapters and brackets are needed and who knows I may make entire new projects with this new wonder tool. Join me as I unbox the beast and put it through its first test print. Will out pop out a perfect benchy, or a tangled web of filament?
1 week ago | [YT] | 1
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Retronaut
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 within just a few months of its launch? I'll answer these questions and show you how to quickly become proficient with ProDOS on your Apple II.
1 week ago | [YT] | 2
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Retronaut
For two decades, the Apple II family was a home micro pioneer! This deep dive celebrates its legendary 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. We'll show you the crucial hardware, the controller cards required, and how these devices made the Apple II evolution a fun ride!
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1
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Retronaut
In this episode, we're diving into a true titan of early micro-computing: *the legendary Disk II floppy disk system* for the Apple II. Designed by the brilliant *Steve Wozniak*, the Disk II wasn't just another peripheral—it was a *seismic shift* in engineering ingenuity. Its streamlined, cost-effective design fundamentally unlocked the full potential of the Apple II, tearing down barriers that shackled game devs. Simply put, it was THE key ingredient that propelled the Apple II to greatness.
1 month ago | [YT] | 1
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Retronaut
I asked my subscribers if they wanted a single longer form video about getting an Apple IIe usable today and they spoke, asking instead for shorter nibbles, which are more in depth per topic. So, here is the first nibble...
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Continuing our series on using an Apple IIe in 2025, today we are getting video working. Do we use a vintage monitor to get that authentic CRT look? Or do we use a modern flat screen? Another option is to use a modern Apple II video card. Yes, we can even use HDMI! Watch on to see the options you can use to rock 1977 hardware in 2025 and onwards!
2 months ago | [YT] | 3
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Retronaut
My recent video on using the Apple IIe in 2025 has sparked a lot of interest, but there is just too much juice to fit in a single video, so getting going with using it slipped to the next video in the series. So, I have a couple of options of how to proceed with this video, and possible others to follow. Please vote to let me know what you would prefer to see.
Either I can make a single monolithic video, where I get the video setup, install and use disc drives, upgrade the RAM and so on. This will be a longer video, probably over an hour but of course with LESS DEPTH per subject.
OR
A longer series of videos, where each is on a smaller aspect of the machine, for example, setting it up for video output. Then another, where I show various disk drive options, using a Booti drive etc. And maybe another on using a SCSI card with the machine. So, MORE DEPTH!
2 months ago | [YT] | 8
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Retronaut
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 😍
2 months ago | [YT] | 2
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Retronaut
I have just released a new video on the Apple II, in this case a IIe. How can we use this extremely important part of computing history today. Well watch on and learn the main features of this fascinating machine.
2 months ago | [YT] | 2
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Retronaut
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Repairing two leaking-cap Commodore CD32 Consoles
CD32's are notorious for leaking capacitors. Little did I know when I agreed to repair a friends CD32 that these leaking caps can lead to the machine not working AT ALL. Then there was a twist, a 2nd CD32? Watch on for a double bubble of CD32 recapping action. And we test some CD32 games along the way!
2 months ago | [YT] | 7
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