Keyboard defect or is this normal?

#1 Fri, 9 Jan 2015 - 18:20 68kMLA

I restored this Apple IIc system, and turned it on today for the first time.

Well: it seems to work just fine, but the keyboard doesn't do anything: the reset key nor any other key doesn't react.

Since this is my first Apple IIc, I don't know what to expect and I don't have any floppy disks unfortunately.

So my question: is this a normal behaviour since the system is waiting for the floppy (software) or is there an issue with the keyboard?

#2 Fri, 9 Jan 2015 - 18:45 68kMLA

What happens if you hold down the control key and hit reset?

#3 Fri, 9 Jan 2015 - 19:33 68kMLA

Strange: the system booted up with the Disc led (red) lit on: the diskdrive was looking for a disc.

After hitting the Control-Reset buttons, the system rebooted but since then doesn't give any signal anymore (no screen, no Disk LED).

#4 Fri, 9 Jan 2015 - 20:08 68kMLA

Mhhh: no screen anymore: I can see some distortion signals on screen (contrast on max) when I hit Control-Reset or Apple-Control-Reset, but I don't have any characters on the monitor, and the Disk Led stays off.

I think I'll have to open the system to check the connections.... (floppy drive, keyboard etc...)

Edit: Never mind: I've opened the system, checked the connections, used some contactspray here and there.

The system is now booting normally, and after a Command-Reset, I'm able to use the keyboard.

All good, thanks! (relieved)

#5 Fri, 9 Jan 2015 - 22:15 68kMLA

Ok, great - that was my suspicion. Different Apple generations/models behaved differently in response to no disk in the drive. But Ctrl-Reset will always get you a prompt. (Except once you boot ProDOS, where ctrl-reset will send you to the program selector.)

Now you just need a serial lead and you can build yourself some disk-based software!

#6 Sat, 10 Jan 2015 - 10:48 68kMLA

Yes, that would be a nice feature indeed.
I have a SD reader for my Commodore 64C, and I'm using my iPhone to transfer games (via audio) to my MSX systems and also my Sinclair ZX Spectrum.

The Apple II has the Unisdisk and a few other solutions...