I'm talking to a mate online about it at the moment, and he is suggesting that the emitter in one (or both of) the optical sensors has died. I'm thinking...last time i checked, Big W has PS/2 ball mice for $5...maybe i could get one of those and scrap it for the optical sensors.
What I will try today, though, is running it with the board hanging out of the printer, away from the plastic bits that go into the optical sensors. That will eliminate the plastic bits as being a problem.
For the record, now that you mention cables, that reminds me - I'm using PhoneNET connectors to connect it to the Mac, as it seems that my two standard Mac serial cables have gone walkabout. The PhoneNET connectors are in good shape, they work when connecting Macs together, and both are terminated properly. Still, now that i think about it..i might try seeing if I can dig up one of my proper Mac serial cables.
What I will try today, though, is running it with the board hanging out of the printer, away from the plastic bits that go into the optical sensors. That will eliminate the plastic bits as being a problem.
For the record, now that you mention cables, that reminds me - I'm using PhoneNET connectors to connect it to the Mac, as it seems that my two standard Mac serial cables have gone walkabout. The PhoneNET connectors are in good shape, they work when connecting Macs together, and both are terminated properly. Still, now that i think about it..i might try seeing if I can dig up one of my proper Mac serial cables.