I have had a lot of people buy straight stitch machines to go with their expensive computerized machines because it is cheaper to keep an old one around for straight sewing than to service one of the computerized machines one time. In other words a $50 - $75 machine in working condition is cheaper than a service call. I wouldn't know how to make that one work either. I'm wondering if you can find something like a 301 or a clone at a garage sale and set it up to do your free motion work. Save the computerized for when you have to have something the vintage machines don't do or just to play with.