Interesting problem. It reminds me of a problem I used to see back in the days of cartridge-type CPUs. People would sometimes not be careful when removing CPU cards and they'd crack the plastic tip in the center of the slot. The plastic would sometimes stay stuck in the CPU card, and sometimes it'd fall into the CPU slot and keep the card from seating properly. An unseated CPU card basically is shorting power and ground planes, so the power would click on for a moment, then off.
So... What's the final verdict? Do you need some parts? I have LOTS of 9600-type parts and 9600 systems.