Free bench tools, IC pinout references, diagnostic flowcharts, recap guides, and retro hardware deep dives — by Smiggy from Rainhill, UK.
11 browser-based electronics utilities — calculators, pinout references and retro repair flowcharts. Free to use, no sign-up, nothing to install.
Colour-band decoder for 4- and 5-band resistors with live tolerance range, plus SMD resistor and capacitor marking decoders.
Open tool →Solve for voltage, current, resistance or power from any two known values, with the formula used shown for each result.
Open tool →555 astable calculator with a real-time waveform preview, alongside an LED resistor calculator that gives the nearest E24 value and wattage.
Open tool →Searchable pinout library for 74 retro CPUs, custom video/sound chips, DRAM/SRAM and 74/4000-series logic ICs, filterable by Machine Hub with colour-coded DIP/PLCC diagrams.
Open tool →Interactive SVG diagrams and 43 dedicated port pages covering retro video/SCART, power supplies, joysticks, floppy/disk buses, expansion slots, RS-232, MIDI, USB-C, RJ45 and HDMI.
Open tool →Choose a machine and a symptom, then follow a measurement-driven flowchart to the components most likely at fault.
Open tool →Deep dives into retro hardware, component-level repair, and electronics diagnostics
System breakdowns, IC guides, chassis builds, and vintage hardware restorations — from Commodore 64s to BBC Micros and Amigas.
Diagnostic flowcharts, recapping logs, trace repair notes, and component-level repair guides from real bench sessions.
Dedicated Commodore 64 reference — ASSY board selector, PSU warnings, IC pinouts for 6510, SID, VIC-II, CIA and more.
A500, A600 & A1200 reference — SMD recap guide, DB23 RGB wiring, boot screen decoder, CIA faults and connector pinouts.
Model B, B+ & Master 128 — RIFA cap alert, EPROM socket map, RGB video guide, PSU diagnostics and key IC pinouts.
16K/48K (Issue 2–6) & +2/+3 — 4116 DRAM voltage trap, membrane guide, composite video mod, ULA/RAM diagnostics and edge connector pinout.
Dragon 32 & Dragon 64 — 6809E, MC6883 SAM & MC6847 VDG diagnostics, DRAM rail checks, DIN A/V pinouts and EPROM guides.
CPC 464 reference — +5V PSU alert, CRTC Type 0–4 guide, Datacorder belt & azimuth repair, Gate Array/RAM diagnostics and RGB SCART pinouts.
C128, C128D & DCR — Z80A/8502 dual-CPU boot diagnostics, 80-column RGBI VDC & 64K VRAM upgrade, square DIN PSU pinouts and U36 ROMs.
Executive Portable C64 — 5″ CRT & PSU recapping, Alps 1541 drive alignment, DB25 keyboard pinout, multi-board stack diagnostics and Kernal differences.
520ST, 1040STFM & STE — "Bombs on Screen" decoder, PSU recapping, 13-pin DIN RGB/Mono SCART wiring, MIDI & ACSI pinouts and TOS ROMs.
Unenhanced, Enhanced & Platinum //e — Astec PSU RIFA guide, Slot 1–7 & Aux 80-Column map, built-in self-test and F6–F13 DRAM locator.
68008 Quantum Leap — Issue 5/6 boards, QDOS & Minerva ROMs, Microdrive overhaul, ZX8301/8302 ULA & 4164 RAM diagnostics and RGB SCART pinouts.
Acorn 8-bit pioneers — Electron PLCC-68 ULA socket fix, Atom 2114 SRAM & MC6847 video, 4164 DRAM diagnostics, RGB SCART & Plus 1/3 bus pinouts.
CP/M 2.2 luggables — Astec PSU RIFA guide, 5″/9″ CRT servicing, Osborne video shunt plug pinout, 5.25″ drives & Gotek setup.
Tangerine 6502A — 7905 negative-rail PSU guide, HCS10017 ULA & 4164 DRAM locator, 5-pin RGB SCART buffer and 34-pin expansion bus.
128K disc CPC — reversed 3″ drive Molex warning, EME-156 belt & Gotek guide, 128K PAL16L8 banking, 16-chip 4164 locator and Parados ROMs.
MSX1, MSX2, MSX2+ & Turbo R — Sony/Philips/Panasonic/Yamaha quirks, V9938/V9958 VRAM diagnostics, JP vs EU RGB SCART and 50-pin cartridge bus.
A1000, A2000, A3000 & A4000 — VARTA battery corrosion & A4000/A3640 SMD recap guide, Zorro II/III & Video Slots, PSU TICK signal and Super Buster.
400/800, 800XL & 130XE — "Ingot" PSU alert, ANTIC/GTIA/POKEY/SALLY diagnostics, Micron DRAM locator, 800XL S-Video Chroma mod and SIO pinouts.
Commodore VIC-20 — 2-prong 9V AC vs 7-pin DIN CR boards, 2114/6116 SRAM locator, 6560/6561 VIC & 6522 VIA diagnostics, S-Video mod and 44-pin cart map.
PET 2001, 4032 & 8032 — 9″/12″ CRT & Killer Poke safety, Garbage Screen diagnostics, 6540/6550 & 2114/4116 RAM and IEEE-488 pinouts.
Commodore 264 series — 7501/8501 CPU & 7360/8360 TED heatsinking, C16 64K RAM upgrade, PSU polarity alerts and Mini-DIN joystick/tape pinouts.
Z80 Model I/III/4 & 6809 CoCo 1/2/3 — Astec PSU RIFA & 12″ CRT safety, Expansion Interface, GIME/SAM/VDG diagnostics and RGB SCART pinouts.
16-bit TI-99/4A — TMS9900 & TMS9918A/29A VDP, Silver/Black vs Beige v2.2 QI boards, 4116 VRAM locator, Speech Synthesizer, PEB and FinalGROM/TIPI.
Hand-picked repair deep-dives, board restoration guides, and custom hardware builds
⭐ Featured
Smiggy's World has expanded beyond home microcomputers with 13 dedicated Retro Video Game Console & Handheld Machine Hubs (/consoles) and 11 new inter...
⭐ Featured
The Commodore 264 series offered 121 vivid colors and built-in BASIC 4.0, but keeping the Plus/4, C16, and C116 alive on the workbench brings a unique...
⭐ Featured
Introducing the Amiga Machine Hub — a dedicated landing page for the A500, A600, and A1200 covering SMD recapping, video output and upscaling, boot sc...
Recent articles on retro computing, electronics repair, and hardware restoration
A new searchable bench tool for looking up safe chip substitutions across DRAM, CPUs and 74-series logic — with dangerous-swap warnings so you avoid s...
Introducing the Commodore 64 Machine Hub — a dedicated landing page that brings together everything you need on the workbench when servicing a C64: mo...
Thirty new chips in the IC Pinout Finder today — 6502, VIC-II, AY-3-8910, DRAM and more, plus the swaps that will destroy a chip if you get them wrong...
Websites built and run by Smiggy — from professional repair services to fun side projects
Professional remote control repair specialists with over 20 years of experience. No fix, no fee policy with a 12-month guarantee on all repairs. Fixed pricing from just £24 — simply book online, post your remote, and receive it back fully repaired via tracked delivery.
Visit Remote FixerSuppliers of high-quality replacement clone remote controls for discontinued handsets. Every remote is pre-programmed and tested using infrared analysis before shipping. Covers body dryers, fireplaces, ceiling fans, treadmills, patio heaters, bale wrappers, and much more.
Visit Remote ShopA free online prank link generator with over 35 hilarious visual effects. Paste any URL, pick an effect like ghost cursor, fake update, screen crack, or gravity drop, then share the pranked link with friends. No sign-up required — instant laughs guaranteed.
Visit Punked.coYour trusted source for finding and sharing referral codes, coupon codes, promo codes, and discount codes. A community-driven platform with verified deals from hundreds of popular brands — save money on ride-sharing, food delivery, streaming, online shopping, and more.
Visit Referral Codes ClubPersonal blog posts, convention write-ups, classic horror reviews, and general updates from Smiggy
Joined my old school friend Robbo for our annual Saturday trip to PLAY Expo Blackpool! From retro arcade classics and Vectrex Mini setups to VHS movie...
Smiggy's World now has a newsletter! Subscribe with just your name and email to get notified about new blog posts, retro computing projects, electroni...
A look behind the scenes at my latest web design project, building a responsive, fast-loading website for local pet sitting service srpetsitting.co.uk...
Games, media, community, and more from Smiggy in Rainhill
Play classic-style games right in your browser — Pong, Snake, and Space Invaders. Built by Smiggy with pure JavaScript and canvas.
Photos from Smiggy's workshop, video walkthroughs, and audio clips. A visual tour of retro computing and electronics in Rainhill.
Refurbished retro joysticks, controllers, peripherals, and vintage hardware given away 100% free (with free UK shipping) to enthusiasts, makers, and STEM clubs.
Got faulty or unwanted retro computers, consoles, or spare parts? Donate them to Smiggy's Rainhill workshop — we cover UK shipping and never resell.
Want to chat about retro tech, horror films, or electronics? Drop Smiggy a message — always happy to hear from fellow enthusiasts!
Recent messages from visitors around the world
Used Remote Fixer to get my fire remote sorted and then found this site. Small world! Great work on both sites Smiggy
Just discovered Smiggy World and I already love it. The Osborne One article was fascinating, never heard of that machine before.
Stumbled across this site looking for ZigBee protocol info. The deep dive pages are incredibly thorough. Well done!
Old computers, consoles, joysticks, or faulty boards gathering dust? Don't skip them — donate them to Smiggy's Rainhill workshop (free UK postage covered, never resold). Once refurbished and tested on the bench, items are given away 100% free to enthusiasts, schools, and makers on the Rehoming Bench.