Re: Blank screen (HELP!)

[spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article "J. Lvhlefink" <slfink@xs4all.nl> writes...

>I bought an Apple IIe in a second hand shop. Looked ok, complete with dual
>diskdrive and monitor (no cables, though). When I switch on the computer it
>beeps after some time, the power light goes on, but I get no picture on the
>screen. I tried another monitor, but I get nothing at all.

    Make sure the RCA cable is in place between the monitor and the
back of the Apple IIe (it is the connector on the far left, not to
be confused with the pair of 1/8" phono cassette connectors). If it
is, twist and wiggle it slightly to see if there isn't a loose or
cracked bit between the motherboard and RCA connector (I've had that
happen on my II Plus, first it was loose and then finally the metal
contact snapped requiring some resoldering).

    The next thing I would try is replacing the cable (you probably
have one around the house, on a VCR or stereo system) and see what
that does. You can also try hooking the IIe into your TV or VCR
using the same RCA cable -- just use the 'VIDEO IN' terminals on
either and you should get a picture on your TV set.

>On the main board, a white socket is empty. Should there be some chip? What
>type? What else could be wrong? HELP!!!

    That is the Game I/O connector, it is for backwards compatibility
with old Apple II and II Plus joysticks/paddles/drawing tablets that
used a 16-pin DIP connector (yep, you plugged those directly into the
motherboard back then). The DB9 connector mostly replaced it, though
the Game I/O port continued to be useful for other forms of input.

    Back to your problem, try removing all the internal slot cards
and pressingly firmly on all the chips on the motherboards. When
you power it on it should make a beep _immediately_ and display at
the top of the screen: "Apple ][" or "Apple //e" -- with a square
bracket ("]") below that and a blinking cursor next to it.

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca