IIe Scrambled Video?

#1 Mon, 7 Apr 2008 - 03:39 68kMLA

I pulled out my IIe that I haven't touched in years and found the video to be scrambled when I turned it on.

When you boot without an OS (no floppy drive) it should say Apple //e but in its place are some scattered pixels at the top of the screen. I've tried this with the IIe monitor and a TV.

I've also discovered that that the IIe monitor has an excellent picture when plugged into an HD tuner.

Is this fixable or should I hack it into something else?

#2 Mon, 7 Apr 2008 - 06:06 68kMLA

Well, the usual no-cost fix is to unseat and re-seat everything you can. Does that change anything?

#3 Mon, 7 Apr 2008 - 17:13 68kMLA

I will borrow a chip extractor from work and give that a try. Should I do it for all the chips or just the Video BIOS?

#4 Mon, 7 Apr 2008 - 17:58 68kMLA

All the chips, and all the cards too. Would probably do to test with no cards installed, by the way.

#5 Mon, 7 Apr 2008 - 19:15 68kMLA

Ok, no problem, I only have the disk controller and a printer interface card. I did pull the cards out for my initial test with no change in result. I'll pull the chips this coming weekend.

Thanks for your suggestions

#6 Tue, 8 Apr 2008 - 14:33 68kMLA

I fixed it!

I pulled the Apple III technical repair manuver: drop it on the desk. Now it works good as new!

eBay, here it comes.

#7 Tue, 8 Apr 2008 - 14:44 68kMLA

I fixed it!I pulled the Apple III technical repair manuver: drop it on the desk. Now it works good as new!

eBay, here it comes.

Good heavens, that's funny. I laughed out loud. Be sure to put that in the description... "recently refurbished, Apple /// style." Only the truly geeky will get it.

#8 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 - 15:09 68kMLA

Funny! I'll do that.

I am thinking about pulling one of those "screen images simulated" deals when I post it. I'll hook the monitor to the video output on my PC and display something completely impossible for the IIe. Somebody 'll get a kick out of it.

#9 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 - 16:00 68kMLA

I'd say a drop on the desk- oxidized or unseated chips. Simplest fix in the world, if it starts doing it again, pull the chips and put them back in again. Done deal.