PET 2001 16 N Mystery

From: Dwight K. Elvey <dwightk.elvey_at_amd.com>
Date: Thu Jul 31 16:14:00 2003

>From: ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk
>
>> I wish to pose this question with the hope that there is someone
>> else who has had the same thing happen to them, and/or can suggest
>> a cause/fix..
>>
>> I have a Commodore PET 2001 16 N. Whenever I try to write or read
>> from tape (using 1530 drive) the computer freezes up and I am forced
>> to turn off/on. After powering the unit back on, the screen is filled
>
>This sounds like a power supply problem -- the extra load of the tape
>drive motor is pulling the unregulated supply down, which is then
>causeing the 5V line to drop too low.
>
>Many PETs have a white Molex 0.156" power connector on the mainboard, the
>socket part of which is wired to the transformer and smoothing capacitors
>mounted seprately in the case. This connector is somewhat under-rated,
>and tends to go high resistance and overheat. If the plastic has started
>to turn brown, this is one of your problems.

Hi
 Put DC#4 on the pins and don't worry about it.
Dwight


>
>Either replace the connector, or remove it completely and solder the
>wires directly to the main PCB (you might then want to add an in-line
>connector of a suitable rating to aid future servicing).
>
>Also, check the smoothing capacitors (particularly the large ones mounted
>off the main PCB). It's possible one of those has dried up.
>
>-tony
Received on Thu Jul 31 2003 - 16:14:00 BST