Re: 2gs checkboard of Death

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Anthony Politz writes ...
> 
> I know this question was posted and answered several times before. I am now
> having the same
> problem. I recently aquired another //gs. When I power it up, I get the
> "Checker board of death".
> I remember someone saying this due to a chip that needs to be heated up or
> replaced. Which one ?


    "Checkboard of Death"?! Cool name for the symptom.

     The reference to a chip needing to be heated probably refers to one
of the ADB IC's on early IIgs's. When these bomb due to a temperature
problem, you get an error message; so, this does not look like the
problem you are facing.

     A checkerboard display is raw video output-- i.e. the video
sub-system is not getting any stuff-- like dots making up characters--
to send. Usually, it means that some 'smart' parts of the computer are
not working correctly.

     One pretty good fix try with a newly acquired used GS is to unplug
the computer, pull the power supply, and brush/blow away dust. Then,
scootch up and re-socket every socketed IC-- especially the
microprocessor and ROM. (You can use a large needle at the corners to
scootch up the square IC's.)

     The idea is to reestablish good pin contacts in the sockets.



Rubywand