DJ and Sons Collecting

09/30/2025

Working through some systems that I’ve had for a while. This is a Sharp PC-7000 from 1985 — the first computer to have a backlit liquid crystal display (LCD). It shipped with 320Kb of RAM, an 8086-2, and MS-DOS 2.11. This one is now working (nearly) perfectly!

Sell us your old computers and video games - you’ll be glad you did!

06/28/2025

Just finished restoring one of the Osborne 1 computers I’ve recently picked up. This specific unit is from 1982. Back then, these were referred to as “portable” computers, despite being quite heavy to move around. Today, we call them “luggables,” as you have to lug them around.

This unit was fully disassembled and cleaned, both disk drives were serviced, and the keyboard was cleaned. Using my Greaseweazle, I was able to write several 180k 5.25” floppy disks that allowed me to boot this machine into CP/M. This was my first time really trying out its capabilities, and I couldn’t be more happy with how well it works.

It’s not every day you see a computer from 1982 back up and running.

If you have any old computers like this, or video games of any age, feel free to reach out! You’ll be glad you did.

06/16/2025

We’ve been busy getting systems up and running! I am trying to get through a lot of our late 1990s - early 2000s PC equipment up and running to make some room for our newest luggable machines. My other project has been Commodore monitors, as they are taking up tons of room right now.

Let me know if anything catches your eye!

Systems:
Asus Terminator 2
Custom Pentium 4 build with Radeon X1650
TI-99/4A
Commodore 1702 Monitor
AppleColor Composite IIe Monitor
Commodore 64
Dell Dimension XPS R350

06/16/2025

Just filled up my car with even more computers!

Today, we picked up a ton of stuff that we will be working through in the coming months: 14 “luggable” type portable computers and 2 Macintosh IIsi systems! Each of these will need at least need some cleaning, but others will require a complete overhaul to get them back into full working order!

These portable computers are really cool! Systems like the Compaq Portable, Osborne, Kaypro, IBM PC 5155, and TRS-80 Model 4P each have their own charm that show what technology was like back in the early 80s.

Did you have any of these growing up, or did you use any of these at work?

Please let us know if you have anything for sale, you’ll be glad you did!

06/09/2025

Controllers we always get in that are faulty are PS4 controllers. The joysticks usually suffer from “drift,” which is when the joysticks move on their own. This is due to use, when the carbon from the joystick potentiometers (what monitors the joystick’s position) rubs off and builds up, causing the joystick to jump around or not know where it should be.

This is a relatively simple repair with the right equipment, but it requires a ton of patience.

Have anything for sale? Let us know!

06/07/2025

We started working on more floppy disk drives! This specific drive is the Chinon version of the Commodore 1541-II, one of my favorite drives to work on. This model is extremely reliable and pretty easy to tune up.

First, we disassemble and clean the whole drive, motherboard, and case. Next, we lubricate the drive rails and any other moving parts in order to decrease friction and increase reliability/efficiency. At this point, we throw it all back together enough to test, then use the “1541 Diagnostic Cartridge” to see how well these parts are working.

The first utility we use tells us how fast the spindle is moving. On these, as opposed to the original 1541, there is a direct drive spindle, not a belt driven one. Usually, the speed is perfect, and this drive was no exception.

Following this, we run it through a performance test, which ensures the stepper motor works perfectly, and the drive can read, write, and format disks. This test passed with no issues.

Finally, we got to alignment. I use a disk formatted back in the day, and see how close it is to the tracks etched by original machines built to make floppy disks in bulk. It was an order of magnitude off. In 1541s, there is no “track 0 sensor.” The system has no idea where the head is at. In order to get it back to home, or track 0, it brings the head back to the start and bangs it against the back of the drive 40 times. Engineers figured after that, the head must be at track 0. This causes the stepper motor to be pushed out of alignment, and that’s exactly what happened here.

After adjusting the stepper motor, the alignment looked pretty good for my standards. Now, it reads all disks with no issues. 5 more to go!

Thanks for reading. Let us know if you have anything you’d want to sell!

06/07/2025

Here’s a system you might remember: the Timex Sinclair 1000! This was a budget computer that released in 1982 for just under $100, or over $300 in 2025 accounting for inflation! I like getting these machines in because they are neat little units that are fun to get running.

Across its years, there were 2 main video chips that this system used. One could only be used on an old B&W TV, as the light level wasn’t high enough to be visible on more modern TVs like we use today, or even color CRTs like those I use for testing. The three systems I just finished repairing all had this same video chip.

The main issue these guys suffer from is a bad keyboard membrane. This old membrane essentially deteriorates, and renders the system inoperable. Luckily, there are modern replacements out there that allow me to fully fix these computers. Each of the three I just repaired got a new keyboard.

Thanks for reading! If you have any old computers you’d like to give a second life to, please reach out!

06/06/2025

About Us:
We’re a father-and-son team based in Western Pennsylvania with a shared passion for curating pop culture collectibles. What started as a hobby in 2013 quickly became a mission—to save vintage computers from being lost to time, pass retro video games to the next player, and preserve iconic action figures.

We specialize in computers and game systems made between the 1970s and 2000. We buy, restore, and rehome iconic systems like Apple, Commodore, Atari, IBM, and more. We’re also passionate collectors of vintage video games and consoles—because preserving digital history means saving the games that inspired a generation, too.

We travel throughout Western and Southwest PA to pick up systems and games of all kinds—no lot too large! Whether it’s a forgotten PC in a basement, an entire video game collection in your attic, or a bin of pop culture memorabilia, we’re interested. We offer fair cash offers and treat every collection with respect—so if you know someone looking to part with their vintage tech, video games, or figurines from pop culture legends, send them our way!

Every system we restore is treated with care. Some join our personal collection, but many are sold to fellow enthusiasts who appreciate the legacy of these machines just as much as we do.

If you have old computers, consoles, or games you’re ready to part with, sell them to someone who will truly value them.
Every classic has a story—let us give your collectibles a second life.

Send a message to learn more

05/21/2025

Recently, I’ve been working through out massive stock of old PCs. For each unit, we fully disassemble and clean them, then go over each part individually to ensure they work with no issues, replacing any components or lubricating them when necessary. Then, we throw them all back together and reinstall a fresh copy of whatever operating system it came with. It’s an extremely rewarding process and always leaves us with a great product!

As always, if you have any video games or old computers you’re looking to sell, please give us a shout! You’ll be glad you did.

11/28/2024

Testing out Atari Disk Drives over the holiday. I recently picked up an SIO2PC Atari Disk Drive Emulator, and it has helped a ton! Currently, I’m working on making a test suite of disks I can use to fully test these drives while I’m working on them. Afterward, they’ll be ready for their forever home with a whole new look!

08/23/2024

Here’s another unit I recently worked on:

The Commodore SX-64 Executive Computer is a “portable” computer from the mid-80s. It is basically identical to the c64, except it has a different KERNAL ROM that’s changes the screen (to make it easier to read on the 5” internal screen) and changes how certain peripherals are used (like removing the cassette drive functionality).

This one was working when we got it but had a couple issues that I wasn’t comfortable with not fixing.

First off, the carrying arm was a little loose, so I tightened it. It looked like this system had been used quite a bit back in the day.

Next, I wanted to restore the disk drive so that it works with no issues. Because the SX-64 uses an Alps drive, they are much more repairable, as the read/write head doesn’t die as often as the Newtronics counterparts. However, with this advantage comes the disadvantage of these drives often coming out of alignment.

A little bit of cleaning/silicone WD-40, and it’s working great! This is the perfect unit to put in my collection!