Amiga Recap Service

Professional service for the Amiga line of computers.

A500, A500+, A600, A1200

What is Recapping?

As Amiga computers age, the capacitors on the motherboard can deteriorate and become prone to leaking. Remember, these machines are now 20+ years old, so replacing the original capacitors is a sensible preventative maintenance measure.

If a capacitor leaks, the electrolyte can damage the copper tracks and circuitry on the motherboard. Left untreated, this can result in permanent damage or a significantly more expensive repair.

Recapping involves removing the original capacitors and replacing them with new, high-quality replacements before they have the opportunity to cause damage.

So, what problems can occur if your Amiga has not been recapped?

• Sound problems or distorted audio
• Random rebooting
• Issues with ACA/Apollo accelerators, including timing-related problems
• Guru errors
• Failure to boot
• Floppy drive problems, potentially followed by a black screen
• Slow or unreliable power-up

We also offer an optional PSU recap service.

What’s Included in the Service?

1. Full Board Inspection Before Recapping

Before any work begins, the motherboard is carefully inspected and tested for existing faults.

If any problems are found during this initial inspection, I will contact you before carrying out the recapping work. This ensures you are aware of any additional repairs that may be required before proceeding.

2. Removal of Existing Capacitors

All existing capacitors are carefully removed, including both SMD (surface-mount) and radial capacitors where applicable.

Professional tools and techniques are used throughout the process. For SMD capacitors, this can include hot air or specialised soldering tweezers, along with flux and other appropriate materials to assist with safe removal.

Using the correct equipment and technique is extremely important. It minimises stress on the solder pads beneath the capacitors and greatly reduces the risk of lifting a pad or damaging the surrounding copper tracks.

3. Thorough Cleaning and Preparation

Once the old capacitors have been removed, the affected areas are thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the new components.

Old flux residue is removed, and if a capacitor has leaked, any dried electrolyte left behind on the motherboard is also carefully cleaned away.

Leaking capacitors can often produce a distinctive fishy smell when they are removed — a sign that the electrolyte has started to escape.

The board is cleaned using appropriate flux remover, IPA (isopropyl alcohol) and deionised water to ensure the area is clean and ready for the replacement capacitors.

4. Final Testing

Once the recapping work has been completed, the Amiga is fully retested to make sure everything is working correctly.

Testing includes:

• Video output
• Audio
• Floppy drive operation
• CF card booting
• Mouse port
• Joystick ports

The Amiga is tested from both floppy and CF card to ensure it boots correctly from each.

The audio is also tested using a selection of classic Amiga games, such as Cannon Fodder, The Chaos Engine and Micro Machines, to check that the sound output is working correctly.

The aim is to return your Amiga to you fully tested, clean and ready to enjoy for many more years.

All that needs to be sent is the computer in a secure box with padding added bubble wrap is fine or crushed newspaper.

The price includes return shipping.