Restoring a second-hand machine to its original glory is no small feat, as many vintage tech enthusiasts know. When followers began asking how to source missing components, the reality was stark: after 40 years, official spare parts for the Tatung Einstein TC01 no longer exist. For years, completing a restoration meant "cannibalizing" other broken units—painstakingly salvaging original items to make one whole, functional machine once again.
However, with more advanced technology now at our disposal, the last six months have made the "impossible" fix a reality. For instance, we now host the TC01 motherboard Gerber files on this site. If your original circuit board is too damaged to repair, you can now rebuild the board from scratch, pop it into the casing, and have a perfectly functional machine once more.
We are also tackling the problem of small plastic parts that often go missing or degrade over time. At Tatungbytes, we are providing 3D printing files to replicate these essential components, allowing you to restore your machine’s aesthetic to "factory new" condition.
A huge thank you to Wayne (Retro Robin) for his incredible work on these 3D documents. To get you started on your refurbishment journey, we will be releasing two key files:
- The Sound Knob: Available in both the original design and a modern alternative.
- Base Feet: Replacement feet for the TC01 chassis.
You can find the full guide and download these documents directly from our TatungBytes Guides section very soon. Our gratitude goes out to Wayne and everyone working behind the scenes to make the Tatung Einstein TC01 look even better than it did on the day it was produced.
