Re: Technical question ...

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

eib writes ...
> 
> I have had an Apple IIe for more than ten years, but since four years it
> does not work anymore and I haven't been able to repair it, or find
> someone who can. ....
> The problem is the following:
> When I boot my apple IIe, the disk drive 1 activates but does not read
> the diskette inside. I tried many bootable diskette but none worked. The
> computer did not even read the diskette, because the "disk reading"
> noise was not coming out of the drives. Also, the logo changed, and from
> "Apple ][" became "Apple //". As if this was not enough, some characters
> appear randomly on the boot screen, and the computer freezes there.
> .... remove all
> the extension boards and boot the machine to see what happens. It did
> exactly the same think ( with or without the disk controller ). ....


     When an Apple II suddenly stops working for no obvious reason, the
usual suspicion is that something has become unconnected.

     IC's can work loose in their sockets. Also, IC pins can develop an
oxidation coating which breaks contacts.

     Extension boards in Slots can work loose, too. The board contacts
can become dirty and can develop an oxidation coating.

     Try this ...

     First, work in a area which is free of static electricity. (Turn
off air conditioning, open windows, avoid carpeted rooms, etc..)

     Use "white-out" or nail polish to mark the pin-1 end of each IC
which is in a socket. (The pin-1 end is usually indicated by a dent,
notch, or dot on the IC.)  Also mark the same end of the socket.

     One by one, remove and re-socket each IC. If you notice that an IC
has black scum on its pins, use fine-grain sand paper to remove the
scum. The pins do not need to be perfectly clean, just clean enough so
that some part of each pin will make a contact in the socket.

     Unplug and clean the Power Supply plug and socket. To get good
contacts, it may help to slightly squeeze each receptor in the socket
with long-nosed pliers. Replug the Power Supply plug.

     Unplug and re-plug any other internal cables.

     Use the fine-grain sand paper to lightly brush-clean the contacts
on each extension board. If any boards have IC's in sockets, remove and
re-socket each IC to make sure its pins make good contacts. Replace the
boards in their correct slots.

     Unplug and replug external monitor, etc. connectors. For now, leave
any joystick unplugged-- if the joysick has a short, it can cause all
sorts of problems.

     Power-ON your computer. There is a decent chance that it will be
fixed.

 
 Rubywand