Re: Sick Apple ][e.....Help please!

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

In article <31F52B93.7585@med.unc.edu>, "Randall H. Friedline[User]"
<friedr@med.unc.edu> wrote:

>If this is an inappropriate newsgroup, my apologies...it was the closest 
>I could find.

Yes, this is exactly the right group.  Any Apple II messages which don't
fall into the categories of programming, gno, marketplace, user groups or
communications should be posted in comp.sys.apple2.

>I have an old Apple ][e and decided to see whether it still worked.  
>Well...it doesn't.  When I boot it up, all I see are thick white bands 
>across the screen and sometimes little blinking colours with them.  
>That's it..nothing else happens.
>
>Does anyone know what's wrong with it?  Is the motherboard fried or 
>something?

Possibly.  The first thing to try is to turn the computer off, remove all
cards from the computer (including memory cards), unplug anything that is
connected to the game connector (external or internal), then switch it on
again.  If it is working OK, you should get the "Apple ][" (or "Apple
//e") title followed immediately by an Applesoft BASIC prompt.

The "frozen screen" usually means that the CPU is not being reset, or
there is a problem accessing the ROM.  This could be caused by a faulty
card in one of the slots, a problem with the power supply, or a problem on
the motherboard.

If the bare computer is exhibiting the same symptoms, turn it off again,
and try pressing down firmly on all the socketed chips on the motherboard,
particularly the larger ones. One of them may have worked itself loose
over time.

You should also see if the self-test is working.  Hold down the solid
Apple key (or "Option" key on a platinum IIe) while turning the computer
on.  The self test is indicated by a series of regularly changing graphics
screens.  It should eventually report an error, "KERNEL OK" (original IIe)
or "System OK" (enhanced IIe).

If it still doesn't work, I would suggest a visual inspection of the
motherboard for any obvious corrosion or other signs of damage.

At this point, the best option is to find another identical machine and
start swapping parts until you can identify where the problem is.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail Mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND