Re: Troubleshooting on an Apple II

["Vince Briel" <vbriel@removethisspamcomcast.net>]

I've restored a number of Apple II's and one of the biggest problems I run 
into is corrosion on the pin of the IC's. This is caused by moisture in the 
air of the storage area where the Apple II has been kept. If the legs of the 
chips appear black, they need cleaning. Start by getting 400 sandpaper (it's 
black and very very fine). Remove each chip and carefully sand the pins 
(both sides) to remove the buildup. I've done this on at least 4 Apple 
IIplus models to get them to fire up.

If you get garbage on the screen, that may be normal on an original II if it 
doesn't have the autostart ROM. Try pressing reset to get a prompt, but 
remember, the reset button is just a key and may also need cleaning.

Hope this helps,

Vince
-- 
Replica 1 the Apple 1 clone
http://www.brielcomputers.com




"Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@aol.com> wrote in message 
3YKdnf0yoqoJfafeRVn-qQ@comcast.com">news:3YKdnf0yoqoJfafeRVn-qQ@comcast.com...
> Ed Eastman wrote:
>> spacealbum wrote:
>>
>>> I have an original Apple II which unfortunately is not working any
>>> more. The power supply gives correct voltages, but there is no beep
>>> when I power it up and no proper signal appears on the screen, even
>>> after a reset / ctrl-reset.
>>
>>
>> Turn it on, do you get he power light?  (There are two, a light on the 
>> keyboard and an LED on the main board that light when power is applied.) 
>> If so then the board is getting power. (Doesn't rule out the power supply 
>> though.)
>>
>> Is the speaker plugged in?  There is an LED that lights when the speaker 
>> is supposed to beep, I do not remember if it works when the speaker is 
>> attached though.
>>
>> Start by turning it off and removing all the cards and pull the keyboard 
>> connection. Then turn it on again, get the power light on the main board? 
>> Get a beep or a blink on the speaker LED?  Get video?  If it works now, 
>> check the cards and keyboard for a short/ corrosion/ blown capacitors.
>
> Actually, Apples prior to the //e do not have LEDs on the board.
>
> But if the power light on the keyboard comes on, then the main board
> is getting +5v.
>
>> If it still doesn't work, reseat all the connectors and chips on the main 
>> board.
>
> This will almost certainly fix the problem if the power supply is OK.
>
> -michael
>
> Music synthesis for 8-bit Apple II's!
> Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/
>
> "The wastebasket is our most important design
> tool--and it is seriously underused."