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echo: apple
to: comp.sys.apple2
from: Michael J. Mahon
date: 2009-02-26 00:17:34
subject: Re: help diagnosing an Apple IIe, please.

adric22 wrote:
> Actually, I got the power supply fixed.  I found something on google
> about the "dyna comp" power supplies having 2 caps prone to being
> dead.  Interestingly enough, when I attempted to desolder one of the
> caps I noticed there was no solder at all one one of the legs.  So I
> replaced them anyway and the system boots fine now and the font looks
> normal.  So I guess that was the only problem.
> 
> HOWEVER, I seem to have a new problem.  The computer has a DISK ]
> [ card in slot 6 and a single "disk ][" drive attached to it via a
> ribbon cable.  However, the drive doesn't do anything when I turn the
> computer on. Normally, I believe these Apple II systems are supposed
> to bang the heads a bit or something.  But it never even lights up.
> Any thoughts there?

You're correct, if the drive is plugged into the "DB-19" connector
or into the "Drive 1" 20-pin header, the drive should recalibrate to
track 0 and try to read the boot sector when the computer is turned
on.

I hope that the drive is plugged in correctly.

If it is a "DB-19" connector, then it can only be plugged in the
right way, but if it is the original 20-pin IDC connector, it is
possible to plug it in backward--usually with the effect of blowing
a chip or two, and a dead drive.

The red side of the ribbon is pin 1, and that end of the connector
should go to the "pin 1" side of the header.

Unfortunately, if it was reversed and powered on, just putting the
connector right will probably not be much help..

-michael

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