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Documents Repairing the World's First Laptop! (Epson HX-20) -- Episode 467
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  • Author Author: tariq.ahmad
  • Date Created: 7 Oct 2020 6:47 PM Date Created
  • Last Updated Last Updated: 9 Oct 2020 7:24 AM
  • Views 3111 views
  • Likes 12 likes
  • Comments 10 comments

Repairing the World's First Laptop! (Epson HX-20) -- Episode 467

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Clem stumbled upon a gem at a flea-market! An Epson HX-20, the worlds first Laptop! Not a luggable computer like the SX64 or others but a real portable unit! He even got the Manual, Carry Case and PromoMaterial with it! Only gripe is that it does not work. Clem fixes his precious retro computer by spot welding an NIMH-battery pack and troubleshooting the keyboard and screen!

Supplemental Content:

  • General Info:
    • https://oldcrap.org/2019/10/27/epson-hx-20/http://oldcomputer.info/8bit/hx20/index.htm
    • Epson HX-20 - MCbx
    • CMbB : Das Phablet von gestern
    • https://www.zock.com/8-Bit/D_HX20.HTML
  • Interface to PC:
    • https://norbertkehrer.github.io/flashx20.html
  • Emulator:
    • https://frigolit.net/projects/hxemu/
  • User Manual as a PDF:
    • https://files.support.epson.com/pdf/hx20__/hx20__u1.pdf

 

Bill of Material:

 

Product Name Manufacturer Quantity Buy Kit
ELECTROLUBE Contact Cleaner, Lubricant, Non-Flammable, Cleaning Solvent, Aerosol, 200 ml ELECTROLUBE 1 Buy Now
Rechargeable Battery, Low Self Discharge, Single Cell, Nickel Metal Hydride, 3000 mAh, 1.2 V, Sub C RoHS Ansmann 4 Buy Now

 

Additional Parts:

 

Product Name

Epson HX-20 Computer

element14 presents
Repairing the World's First Laptop! (Epson HX-20)

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Top Comments

  • davedarko
    davedarko over 4 years ago +3
    I wonder if you can replace that display with a "modern" 4x20 character display - they probably all follow a certain standard, don't they?
  • DAB
    DAB over 4 years ago +2
    Good save Clem. I have an old Commodore 2001 that I may someday ressurect. I know the voltage regulators are gone, probably the caps too, and I think the memory might be gone. Who knows, someday I might…
  • KalebTheMaker
    KalebTheMaker over 4 years ago +2
    Nice! Now that its working, it would be awesome to see an attempt to use the acoustic coupler to connect to... something. What is the spot welder you used on the batteries? -Kaleb
  • davedarko
    davedarko over 4 years ago

    I wonder if you can replace that display with a "modern" 4x20 character display - they probably all follow a certain standard, don't they?

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  • airbornesurfer
    airbornesurfer over 4 years ago

    Great restoration, Clem! I've actually been thinking about building a lappy with a similar form factor, maybe I'll do that with the RC2014!

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  • mayermakes
    mayermakes over 4 years ago in reply to davedarko

    There are projects, linked above to emulate it and communicate from a pc that should be doable over the rs232 port

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  • mayermakes
    mayermakes over 4 years ago in reply to KalebTheMaker

    If only I had any of the other stuff. It's pretty much unobtsinium and not sure if localized versions have internal differences, so I need to get them from local sources

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  • davedarko
    davedarko over 4 years ago

    Coincidentally this is also one of the first cyberdecks ever! Would be cool to have an arduino read and write programs to a tape deck somehow. Love tapes. Mhh.

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  • KalebTheMaker
    KalebTheMaker over 4 years ago

    Nice! Now that its working, it would be awesome to see an attempt to use the acoustic coupler to connect to... something.

     

    What is the spot welder you used on the batteries?

     

    -Kaleb

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  • mayermakes
    mayermakes over 4 years ago in reply to kmikemoo

    thanks,it was so cool to finally get it working again. there are some other vintage computers in a lot worse condition in my projects bin..so You might see another restoration video some day.

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  • kmikemoo
    kmikemoo over 4 years ago

    Awesome restoration!  My first Atari only had the Basic ROM - and I had to wait 6 months for it on special order.  Very cool project.

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  • mayermakes
    mayermakes over 4 years ago in reply to DAB

    hope you get to ressurect you computer!

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  • DAB
    DAB over 4 years ago

    Good save Clem.

     

    I have an old Commodore 2001 that I may someday ressurect.

    I know the voltage regulators are gone, probably the caps too, and I think the memory might be gone.

     

    Who knows, someday I might get inspired to fix it.

     

    DAB

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