On Wed, 7 Aug 2002, Sellam Ismail wrote:
> > What happens if you press the <Break> key down while powering up...it
> > should take you into ROM Basic with a "cass?" prompt.
> Nope, still no video. The video is hosed. Along with the rest of the
> units I've tried.
> Now I know why stuff like TRS-80s and C64s were so derided back in the
> day: the shit just don't last!
>
> On the other hand, I've rarely met an Apple ][ that didn't boot.
> Coincidence? You be the judge.
Actually, I rarely encounter a stored Apple ][ (or ][+) that will boot
until I press down on each and every chip to get through the corrosion of
the cheap sockets.
That is EXACTLY the same problem as most of the TRS-80s!
Just like Apple, they cut too many corners on connector quality. Cleaning
connections will usually get them working. In addition, some of the
TRS-80 keyboards (there are a couple of different types) won't work after
extended storage unless you open them up and clean them (or just work the
keys A LOT). A Rochester Dynatyper or KGS80 keyboard actuator works great
for that (a box of solenoids that was intended to sit on a typewriter
keyboard to substitute for a printer)
> Well, I have no boot disk. I'm trying to see if this machine works.
> Apparently it does to an extent but the video definitely has a problem.
>
> Nobody knows how to fix this?
Once you've cleaned the connector contacts, ...
If it still won't work, then better ask Tony!
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin_at_xenosoft.com
Received on Wed Aug 07 2002 - 20:14:00 BST