Repairing An Expensive Communication Device containing "Secret" Code! - Toby Churchill Lightwriter

I picked up this Toby Churchill Lightwriter from eBay sold as "spares or repairs" with a cryptic "Machine Code Error." These are incredible pieces of technology designed to give a voice to those who can't speak, so I was determined to see if it could be saved. What started as a hardware investigation—checking regulators and using the thermal camera—quickly turned into a deep dive into software and hex code. After a bit of forensic engineering and a very helpful conversation, I discovered a "secret" factory menu and a hidden code! In this video, we use everything from a multimeter to Ghidra to get this specialised bit of kit speaking again. Also in this video: I wanted to give you all a heartfelt thank you for the incredible support following my wife's accident. I’ve included a brief update at 27:14 on how she’s doing and a look at her own "hardware repair" (X-ray included!). Timestamps: 0:00 What is a Lightwriter? 0:15 The eBay Mystery 0:35 Initial Power On 2:30 The internals 6:27 Thermal Inspection 10:14 Memory Error? 12:55 Building a replacement battery 17:20 The VFD controller 21:35 Under The Microscope 27:14 An Update on my Wife’s Recovery 27:44 Replacing ICs 32:17 Dumping the software 38:11 Diving into the Code (Ghidra) 39:23 The Breakthrough: Talking to Mike 40:25 Entering the Secret Factory Menu 41:41 Success! It Speaks Again. If you enjoyed this technical deep-dive, please consider subscribing to Buy it Fix it for more "spares or repairs" rescues! Links to some of the tools and equipment I use: KAIWEETS KTI-W02 Pro Thermal Camera: ***UNFORTUNATELY THERMAL CAMERAS ARE OUT OF STOCK*** 15% off other Kaiweets products code: BIFI15 (Available sitewide at kaiweets.com and it never expires.) https://kaiweets.com/en-gb/collection... FNIRSI HS-02 Soldering iron with toolbox and 6 tips: (use code: BuyItFixIt for 6% off) https://www.fnirsi.com/products/hs-02... Cheaper Alternative HS-02 link (without the toolbox and only 1 tip use code: BuyItFixIt for 6% off): https://www.fnirsi.com/products/hs-02... Link to other FNIRSI products (BuyItFixIt for 6% off) https://www.fnirsi.com/buyitfixit As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The following list contains Amazon affiliate links (labeled) and manufacturer affiliate links. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through them. TOMLOV 4K AF Microscope: 10% Discount use code: BUYITFIXIT TM4K-AF Flex: 8" screen Official Website: https://bit.ly/4vRNsh3 (affiliate link) Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/4sB0zlb (paid link) Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/3KYm920 (paid link) TM4K-AF Max: 10.1" screen Official Website: https://bit.ly/3Yg68bZ (affiliate link) Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3Nj67kO (paid link) Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/47ZJ5FB (paid link) The Famous Blue Mat: https://amzn.to/47bPNGK (paid link) De-Soldering Station: https://amzn.to/48bnpIL (paid link) Engineer SS-02 Solder sucker: https://amzn.to/4fM9gS6 (paid link) Infiray P2 Pro Thermal Camera: https://amzn.to/47c05Xm (paid link) 170 piece electronics tool kit (security bits): https://amzn.to/3VnmHBh (paid link) SMD Tweezer set: https://amzn.to/3t9GlW4 (paid link) Aixun T3A Soldering Station: https://amzn.to/3Xa8HMe (paid link) Soldering Flux: https://amzn.to/3DLhIE9 (paid link) Alternative: https://amzn.to/4dVRdcN (paid link) Low Melt Solder: https://amzn.to/3QICZ5r (paid link) : Cheaper Alternative https://amzn.to/3G4L3XK (paid link) Grinding pen: https://amzn.to/4aaocZq (paid link) Component Tester: https://amzn.to/46UcHm6 (paid link) alternative (slightly cheaper) https://amzn.to/49yZSzJ (paid link) Overhead Camera Mount I Use: https://amzn.to/3tX8Ar4 (paid link) Microscope Light (I use on my Trinocular): https://amzn.to/3FEAPgy (paid link) AD409 Pro Microscope 10" Screen: https://amzn.to/3G0CI7P (paid link) Extra Long Torx Drivers(used on Milwaukee radio): https://amzn.to/40siUU3 (paid link) DC Power Adapter plugs 38 PCS: https://amzn.to/40mgUy9 (paid link) USB Power Meter Tester: https://amzn.to/3R6NX4g (paid link) SMD Component ruler 3x (for sizes of SMD components): https://amzn.to/3TvfcWO (paid link) Rework station: I was using a 858D clone but now using an ATTEN ST-862D . Capacitor Discharger by Dan Wilson: https://github.com/wilsondr9999/1024-... Other Equipment: Main Overhead camera: Sony HDR-CX450 with 3rd party remote and RODE VideoMic Pro Other cameras: Canon G7X, iPhone 6s, Go Pro Hero Silver 7 (which repaired) Microscopes: Amscope trinocular (clone) with FHD 48MP Camera V8 & TOMLOV TM4K-AF Max. Bench PSUs: TTI EX4210R & TTI TSX3510P Editing Software: DaVinci Resolve #electronics #electronicsrepair #repair #repairing