Deadish C128 (was: Re: BBC Micro (was: Re: Apple II for into to microprocessors

From: charles hobbs <chobbs_at_socal.rr.com>
Date: Sun Jul 15 14:20:08 2001

Sellam Ismail wrote:

> On Sun, 15 Jul 2001, charles hobbs wrote:
>
> > I haven't run this machine in about 10 years, so who knows what will
> > happen if I try to turn it on...
>
> It'll work. There seems to be a prevalent misconception about the
> durability of microcomputers. Save for anything with huge transformers
> and caps in its power supply (i.e. S-100 machines) or Commodore 64s (which
> in my experience die inordinately), most computers will fire right up no
> matter how long it's been since their last go.

Speaking of which...I have a C128 that I bought about 5-years ago. It worked
fine when I bought it. I left it set up on the desk top, but I rarely turned it on

much after that.

Last weekend, I hooked it up to the TV and turned it on. The black and yellow
start screen came up, but it was just the black text area with a yellow border.
The BASIC language (e.g. "Commodore Basic 7.0"...) didn't start up.

I tried rebooting it, hitting the reset button, no luck.

Anyone else have this problem? Should I open it up and reseat all the chips or
something?

Thanks!
Received on Sun Jul 15 2001 - 14:20:08 BST