• Dead GS Rom01

    From Steven Nelson@nelsonse48@gmail.com to comp.sys.apple2 on Monday, April 12, 2021 14:35:32
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    My workhorse IIGS died today. Worked fine yesterday. Rom01, CFFA3000 (#1),ZipGS 8/64 (#2), VidHD (#3), Uthetnet II (#4), Superdrive controller (#5, inactive), empty (#6), Hi-speed SCSI (#7, inactive). Lights on CFFA, ZipGS, UthernetII active when powered on. No beep, no video with power on. ctl-reset or cmd-ctrl-reset gives no beep.
    I checked power supply which gives good +/-5v and +/- 12v readings. Replaced 65816-10 processor on zipgs with 65816-14 processor - no change.
    Removed VidHD - no change.
    I did get an indication of a beep a couple times. Very distorted and lower frequency, more of a buzz.
    Suggestions on what is wrong or what to try next? Thanks.
    --Steven
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  • From cruff@cruff@ruffspot.net (Craig Ruff) to comp.sys.apple2 on Monday, April 12, 2021 18:24:06
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    In article <babda48c-2469-4d08-b356-015b05d39b37n@googlegroups.com>,
    Steven Nelson <nelsonse48@gmail.com> wrote:
    My workhorse IIGS died today. Worked fine yesterday. Rom01, CFFA3000 (#1),ZipGS 8/64 (#2), VidHD (#3),
    Uthetnet II (#4), Superdrive controller (#5, inactive), empty (#6), Hi-speed SCSI (#7, inactive). Lights on
    CFFA, ZipGS, UthernetII active when powered on.
    gives no beep.

    Can you remoe the ZipGS and try the stock configuration?


    I checked power supply which gives good +/-5v and +/- 12v readings.

    Did you check this under load while it was connected to the motherboard?
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Steven Nelson@nelsonse48@gmail.com to comp.sys.apple2 on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 07:16:56
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    On Monday, April 12, 2021 at 6:24:13 PM UTC-5, Craig Ruff wrote:
    In article <babda48c-2469-4d08...@googlegroups.com>,
    Steven Nelson <nelso...@gmail.com> wrote:
    My workhorse IIGS died today. Worked fine yesterday. Rom01, CFFA3000 (#1),ZipGS 8/64 (#2), VidHD (#3),
    Uthetnet II (#4), Superdrive controller (#5, inactive), empty (#6), Hi-speed SCSI (#7, inactive). Lights on
    CFFA, ZipGS, UthernetII active when powered on.
    gives no beep.

    Can you remoe the ZipGS and try the stock configuration?

    I checked power supply which gives good +/-5v and +/- 12v readings.
    Did you check this under load while it was connected to the motherboard?
    Thank ypu Craig. Replaced ZipGS with 65816 DIP. Not much change. Tested PS under load. Not good! Disassembled PS and found blown capacitor (1000uF?) in DC end. (Reactive Micro universal power supply kit less than a year old.) I will try replacing capacitor but my soldering skill sucks ;-). My other GS (rom3) died the same day. Its old PS gave up the ghost too. Not my day.
    Take care. Apple2-4FR.
    --Steven
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Michael J. Mahon@mjmahon@aol.com to comp.sys.apple2 on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 21:03:47
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Steven Nelson <nelsonse48@gmail.com> wrote:
    On Monday, April 12, 2021 at 6:24:13 PM UTC-5, Craig Ruff wrote:
    In article <babda48c-2469-4d08...@googlegroups.com>,
    Steven Nelson <nelso...@gmail.com> wrote:
    My workhorse IIGS died today. Worked fine yesterday. Rom01, CFFA3000
    (#1),ZipGS 8/64 (#2), VidHD (#3),
    Uthetnet II (#4), Superdrive controller (#5, inactive), empty (#6),
    Hi-speed SCSI (#7, inactive). Lights on
    CFFA, ZipGS, UthernetII active when powered on.
    gives no beep.

    Can you remoe the ZipGS and try the stock configuration?

    I checked power supply which gives good +/-5v and +/- 12v readings.
    Did you check this under load while it was connected to the motherboard?

    Thank ypu Craig. Replaced ZipGS with 65816 DIP. Not much change.
    Tested PS under load. Not good! Disassembled PS and found blown
    capacitor (1000uF?) in DC end. (Reactive Micro universal power supply
    kit less than a year old.) I will try replacing capacitor but my
    soldering skill sucks ;-). My other GS (rom3) died the same day. Its
    old PS gave up the ghost too. Not my day.

    Take care. Apple2-4FR.
    --Steven


    It’s well worthwhile to practice soldering if you’re into retrocomputing. In a couple of hours you’ll be proficient enough. ;-)

    --
    -michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://michaeljmahon.com
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From D Finnigan@dog_cow@macgui.com to comp.sys.apple2 on Thursday, April 15, 2021 23:00:56
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Michael J. Mahon wrote:

    It’s well worthwhile to practice soldering if you’re into retrocomputing. In a couple of hours you’ll be proficient enough. ;-)


    Or you'll have burned your fingers. It's either one or the other. ;-)



    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Brian Patrie@bpatrie@bellsouth.spamisicky.net to comp.sys.apple2 on Friday, April 16, 2021 02:41:59
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    D Finnigan wrote:
    Michael J. Mahon wrote:

    It’s well worthwhile to practice soldering if you’re
    into retrocomputing.
    In a couple of hours you’ll be proficient enough. ;-)

    Or you'll have burned your fingers. It's either one or the other. ;-)

    Or both. ;)
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Scott Alfter@scott@alfter.diespammersdie.us to comp.sys.apple2 on Friday, April 16, 2021 20:45:26
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    In article <dog_cow-1618527655@macgui.com>,
    D Finnigan <dog_cow@macgui.com> wrote:
    Michael J. Mahon wrote:
    It’s well worthwhile to practice soldering if you’re into retrocomputing.
    In a couple of hours you’ll be proficient enough. ;-)

    Or you'll have burned your fingers. It's either one or the other. ;-)

    The first pic in this article made the rounds elsewhere a while back for
    (what should be) obvious reasons:

    https://www.thepoke.co.uk/2016/03/09/soldering-stock-photo-fail/

    ...and if those reasons aren't obvious, perhaps soldering isn't for you. :)

    _/_
    / v \ Scott Alfter (remove the obvious to send mail)
    (IIGS( https://alfter.us/ Top-posting!
    \_^_/ >What's the most annoying thing on Usenet?


    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Steven Nelson@nelsonse48@gmail.com to comp.sys.apple2 on Saturday, April 17, 2021 15:17:45
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Update: The hard part in repairing power supply was desoldering the old bulging capacitor but with patience it finally popped out. Soldering new capacitor (1000uF, 16V like the old one) onto board was easier. No burned fingers yet. The rebuilt power supply booted up the GS. It lasted a few minutes and then died. Examining the power supply it was the new capacitor that was bulging - failed. No smoke, burning signs or bad odor. But, to misuse a cliche, what is the 'magic smoke' telling me? Should I replace the cap and try again? Thanks.
    --Steven
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From cruff@cruff@ruffspot.net (Craig Ruff) to comp.sys.apple2 on Sunday, April 18, 2021 07:38:39
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    In article <4fc6988c-fc38-49a6-8b9e-b7ce269fd6d7n@googlegroups.com>,
    Steven Nelson <nelsonse48@gmail.com> wrote:
    lasted a few minutes and then died. Examining the power supply it was
    the new capacitor that was bulging - failed. No smoke, burning signs or
    bad odor. But, to misuse a cliche, what is the 'magic smoke' telling
    me? Should I replace the cap and try again? Thanks.

    Did you install the new capacitor in the correct orientation? If it was reversed the failure mode you saw is a likely outcome. Was the
    replacement of a sufficiently high voltage rating? For a switching power supply, a low ESR capacitor is likely required depending on its location
    in the circuitry.
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Michael J. Mahon@mjmahon@aol.com to comp.sys.apple2 on Sunday, April 18, 2021 12:26:44
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Steven Nelson <nelsonse48@gmail.com> wrote:
    Update: The hard part in repairing power supply was desoldering the old bulging capacitor but with patience it finally popped out. Soldering new capacitor (1000uF, 16V like the old one) onto board was easier. No
    burned fingers yet. The rebuilt power supply booted up the GS. It
    lasted a few minutes and then died. Examining the power supply it was
    the new capacitor that was bulging - failed. No smoke, burning signs or
    bad odor. But, to misuse a cliche, what is the 'magic smoke' telling me?
    Should I replace the cap and try again? Thanks.

    --Steven


    Hmmm. That sounds exactly like what would happen if the new capacitor was installed with the wrong polarity. ;-)

    Check that the cathode of the electrolytic capacitor is connected to the
    more negative potential. That would be ground for a +5v filter capacitor.

    The other more remote possibility is that the new capacitor was defective.

    Electrolytic capacitors are the only type that have a serious aversion to reverse polarity. Their markings are unambiguous, with, typically, a wide stripe adjacent to their negative terminal.

    --
    -michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://michaeljmahon.com
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Steven Nelson@nelsonse48@gmail.com to comp.sys.apple2 on Monday, April 19, 2021 07:24:36
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    On Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 12:26:52 PM UTC-5, Michael J. Mahon wrote:
    Steven Nelson <nelso...@gmail.com> wrote:
    Update: The hard part in repairing power supply was desoldering the old bulging capacitor but with patience it finally popped out. Soldering new capacitor (1000uF, 16V like the old one) onto board was easier. No
    burned fingers yet. The rebuilt power supply booted up the GS. It
    lasted a few minutes and then died. Examining the power supply it was
    the new capacitor that was bulging - failed. No smoke, burning signs or bad odor. But, to misuse a cliche, what is the 'magic smoke' telling me? Should I replace the cap and try again? Thanks.

    --Steven

    Hmmm. That sounds exactly like what would happen if the new capacitor was installed with the wrong polarity. ;-)

    Check that the cathode of the electrolytic capacitor is connected to the more negative potential. That would be ground for a +5v filter capacitor.

    The other more remote possibility is that the new capacitor was defective.

    Electrolytic capacitors are the only type that have a serious aversion to reverse polarity. Their markings are unambiguous, with, typically, a wide stripe adjacent to their negative terminal.
    --
    -michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://michaeljmahon.com
    Craig and Michael are right on, correct. I installed the capacitor in same polarity as the one on each side. Wrong. I looked at another identical power supply and it has the bad cap with the opposite polarity. The caps are like pairs each with opposite polarity. So desoldering and soldering in a new cap with correct polarity and all is working again. Whew. Thanks to all for helping me 1) tackling the solder sucker and soldering iron 2) fixing my polarity problem. Apple2-4FR
    --Steven
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Steven Hirsch@snhirsch@gmail.com to comp.sys.apple2 on Monday, April 19, 2021 10:32:02
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    On 4/18/21 1:26 PM, Michael J. Mahon wrote:

    Electrolytic capacitors are the only type that have a serious aversion to reverse polarity. Their markings are unambiguous, with, typically, a wide stripe adjacent to their negative terminal.


    Unless you consider them a type of electrolytic, tantalum caps are similarly adverse to wrong polarity. And they are much more entertaining when they fail :-).
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Michael J. Mahon@mjmahon@aol.com to comp.sys.apple2 on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 00:24:07
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Steven Nelson <nelsonse48@gmail.com> wrote:
    On Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 12:26:52 PM UTC-5, Michael J. Mahon wrote:
    Steven Nelson <nelso...@gmail.com> wrote:
    Update: The hard part in repairing power supply was desoldering the old >>> bulging capacitor but with patience it finally popped out. Soldering new >>> capacitor (1000uF, 16V like the old one) onto board was easier. No
    burned fingers yet. The rebuilt power supply booted up the GS. It
    lasted a few minutes and then died. Examining the power supply it was
    the new capacitor that was bulging - failed. No smoke, burning signs or >>> bad odor. But, to misuse a cliche, what is the 'magic smoke' telling me? >>> Should I replace the cap and try again? Thanks.

    --Steven

    Hmmm. That sounds exactly like what would happen if the new capacitor was >> installed with the wrong polarity. ;-)

    Check that the cathode of the electrolytic capacitor is connected to the
    more negative potential. That would be ground for a +5v filter capacitor. >>
    The other more remote possibility is that the new capacitor was defective. >>
    Electrolytic capacitors are the only type that have a serious aversion to >> reverse polarity. Their markings are unambiguous, with, typically, a wide >> stripe adjacent to their negative terminal.
    --
    -michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://michaeljmahon.com

    Craig and Michael are right on, correct. I installed the capacitor in
    same polarity as the one on each side. Wrong. I looked at another identical power supply and it has the bad cap with the opposite polarity.
    The caps are like pairs each with opposite polarity. So desoldering and soldering in a new cap with correct polarity and all is working again.
    Whew. Thanks to all for helping me 1) tackling the solder sucker and soldering iron 2) fixing my polarity problem. Apple2-4FR
    --Steven

    Congratulations, Steven!

    You have a working IIgs *and* a new arrow in your quiver!

    --
    -michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://michaeljmahon.com
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Michael J. Mahon@mjmahon@aol.com to comp.sys.apple2 on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 00:24:08
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    Steven Hirsch <snhirsch@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 4/18/21 1:26 PM, Michael J. Mahon wrote:

    Electrolytic capacitors are the only type that have a serious aversion to >> reverse polarity. Their markings are unambiguous, with, typically, a wide >> stripe adjacent to their negative terminal.


    Unless you consider them a type of electrolytic, tantalum caps are similarly adverse to wrong polarity. And they are much more entertaining when they fail
    :-).


    Yes, I do consider them a type of electrolytic. Fortunately, I’ve never experienced one complaining about reversed polarity. ;-)

    So far my worst capacitor fail was an X2 polypropylene line filter. Two
    weeks later, I could still barely stand to be close enough to replace it!

    --
    -michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://michaeljmahon.com
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Steven Hirsch@snhirsch@gmail.com to comp.sys.apple2 on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 09:10:26
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    On 4/20/21 1:24 AM, Michael J. Mahon wrote:
    Steven Hirsch <snhirsch@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 4/18/21 1:26 PM, Michael J. Mahon wrote:

    Electrolytic capacitors are the only type that have a serious aversion to >>> reverse polarity. Their markings are unambiguous, with, typically, a wide >>> stripe adjacent to their negative terminal.


    Unless you consider them a type of electrolytic, tantalum caps are similarly >> adverse to wrong polarity. And they are much more entertaining when they fail
    :-).


    Yes, I do consider them a type of electrolytic. Fortunately, I’ve never experienced one complaining about reversed polarity. ;-)

    It's entertaining - provided you don't have your face over them at the time.

    So far my worst capacitor fail was an X2 polypropylene line filter. Two
    weeks later, I could still barely stand to be close enough to replace it!

    I agree. Very much equivalent to chemical warfare.
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Mike Spangler@mspangler@ifiber.tv to comp.sys.apple2 on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 19:29:04
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.apple2

    I had my first experience with a RIFA last month. Engaged replacement mode on the others at once. And found another power supply where they probably would have blown the next time it was powered up.

    As an oh-by-the-way, Lord Refa was a villain on Babylon 5. He also had a messy demise.



    So far my worst capacitor fail was an X2 polypropylene line filter. Two weeks later, I could still barely stand to be close enough to replace it!
    --
    -michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://michaeljmahon.com
    --- Synchronet 3.18b-Win32 NewsLink 1.113