Fault Diagnosis
& Repair
Systematic fault isolation on vintage computers and consoles. You get a written quote before we touch anything — and if we can't fix it, you only pay the diagnostic fee.
$40–$80
Diagnostic fee
Deducted from repair
100%
Quote accuracy
After diagnosis
$0
If unfixable
Beyond diagnostic fee
Written
Every report
No verbal-only quotes
What does it cost?
Diagnostic fee
$40–$80
Fully deducted if you proceed with repair
How it works
Receive
Board or system logged in. Packaging and condition noted. Confirmation sent.
Visual Inspection
Every component examined — caps, ICs, traces, sockets, connectors. We look for the obvious first.
Systematic Testing
POST codes, signal tracing, logic analyser, oscilloscope. We go methodically through the failure chain.
Fault Isolation
We narrow the fault to the specific component, section or circuit causing the problem.
Written Quote
You receive a clear quote before any repair work begins. No nasty surprises.
Await Approval
We wait for your go-ahead. If you decline, safe return with a diagnostic report.
Repair
The approved fix is carried out using quality parts and proper technique.
Test & Return
Full functionality test, then safely packaged and returned with a service report.
Receive
Board or system logged in. Packaging and condition noted. Confirmation sent.
Visual Inspection
Every component examined — caps, ICs, traces, sockets, connectors. We look for the obvious first.
Systematic Testing
POST codes, signal tracing, logic analyser, oscilloscope. We go methodically through the failure chain.
Fault Isolation
We narrow the fault to the specific component, section or circuit causing the problem.
Written Quote
You receive a clear quote before any repair work begins. No nasty surprises.
Await Approval
We wait for your go-ahead. If you decline, safe return with a diagnostic report.
Repair
The approved fix is carried out using quality parts and proper technique.
Test & Return
Full functionality test, then safely packaged and returned with a service report.
Is this service right for you?
Bring your hardware to us if you're experiencing any of the following.
Won't POST
No video output on boot — could be CPU, RAM, chipset, or power rails
No video output
System may be alive but video circuit is dead — GPU, RAMDAC, or caps
Beep codes on startup
The BIOS is talking — we can decode it and trace the faulty component
Random freezes or reboots
Instability can mean bad RAM, caps, power, or thermal issues
Blue screens / guru meditations
Software can cause these, but so can failing hardware — we isolate the cause
Works sometimes / not others
Intermittent faults are the hardest — and our speciality
What's included
What we service
We diagnose all vintage computers and consoles. Contact us if you're unsure.
💡 Already know the fault?
Common questions
What if it can't be fixed?
If we can't repair your hardware, you pay the diagnostic fee only — nothing more. We'll return it safely with a written report explaining exactly what we found and why it can't be repaired. No fix, no extra charge.
What does the diagnostic fee cover?
The $40–$80 diagnostic fee covers our time to systematically identify and isolate the fault. If you proceed with the repair, that fee is fully deducted from your final bill — so it's essentially free if we fix it.
How accurate are your repair quotes?
Very. We quote after diagnosis, not before — so we know exactly what the problem is and what parts are needed before we give you a number. The only time costs can change is if fault isolation reveals a secondary issue we couldn't see until the primary was fixed.
Can you diagnose intermittent faults?
Yes — this is actually where we excel. Intermittent faults require patience, proper equipment and experience. We use oscilloscopes, logic analysers and thermal cameras to catch faults that only appear under specific conditions. It may take longer, but we find them.
Ready to get started?
Submit your hardware for diagnosis. Written quote before we touch anything.