Re: Big trouble - need basic help

[dalloff@gcfn.org (Dave Althoff)]

markey (markey@visi.com) wrote:


: Andrew Erickson wrote:

: >
: > You'll definitely need to resolve the green static problem before being
: > able to do anything useful.

: It's not actually static, what I *meant* to say is that it's just a green
: screen. I can adjust it so that's it's clear, but the point is that it just a
: lot of greeness and nothing else...

Start by checking your monitor.  Even though it is green monochrome, you
can still hook it up to a standard video source such as a VCR to verify
proper function.  Then you can eliminate the monitor as a source of trouble.

: > The video output from the motherboard should generally work, regardless
: > of the other things.  The other card sounds like an RF modulator; if so
: > it puts out a TV signal, which would not work with the monitor.  It may
: > help to remove that card.

: Yeah I've tried both jacks, with the same result.

: > Do you ever get anything other than static--for instance, if you remove
: > the disk controller card entirely?  Does the computer beep when you try
: > to boot it?  Do either of the disk drives spin at all?

: I get no beeps and no spinning , even after switching the #1 and #2 drives.

: > (If it beeps, the computer itself is basically working.)
: >
: > You may also try typing 6 CTRL-P; this should boot from the monitor, if
: > you have a non-autostart ROM.  CTRL-P is, of course, not six keys.

: I will try that next. I read somewhere that if the drive is out of alignment
: that nothing will happen, is this true?

Try removing ALL of the cards from the machine.  It sounds like you are
talking about a ][ or ][+, so be wary of the Language Card (if present) in
Slot 0...I don't remember if you have to replace its ribbon cable where
it plugs into the motherboard with anything else when you remove that card or
not.  If you have a ][+ with Autostart ROM, then with no cards installed
you should get a *BEEP*, the words, "APPLE ][" at the top of the screen,
and an Applesoft BASIC prompt ("]").  If you have a ][ with the old
monitor ROM, then with or without cards you should get a *BEEP* and a
screen full of garbage, with a Monitor prompt ("*") at the bottom of the
screen.

If you can get the machine to come up with no cards installed, start
installing boards one by one...first the Language Card or ROM card (if
present) in slot 0, then the Disk Controller Card in slot 6, then anything
else.  It is very possible that there is a bad card causing problems.

Just some random thoughts...

--Dave Althoff, ][.
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