Re: *** UNABLE TO EXECUTE BASIC SYSTEM ***

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Simon Williams writes ...
> 
> Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net> wrote:
> 
> > Try scootching up and resocketting every IC on the Language Card to make
> > sure the IC pins make good contact. Then, plug it in and try booting the
> > "ProDOS User's Disk'" diskette again.
> 
> Thanks, I'll try that... this'll be the first time I've had to "scootch"
> anything - will a small screwdriver do the job, or do I need something
> non-conductive?
> 
 ....

     My usual scootching tool is a small screwdriver-- about 8" long, slim
shaft, thin 1/8 inch wide blade. You want to be able to easily slip it between
the chip and the socket and lift (or twist the blade to lift).

     Lifting up the chip and pressing it back into its socket usually lets the
socket contactors break through corrosion and make fresh good contacts with the
IC pins.

     Older computer stuff with socketed IC's can be often be fixed by
resocketing the IC's. IC's do sometimes go bad; but, that happens much less
frequently than having an IC which has developed bad contacts in its socket.

     Same principle applies to boards in the Slot sockets-- often pulling a
board and reinserting it (with power OFF) will fix things.



Rubywand