Yeah. I was able to grasp the -12V rail
entirely...but not the 555 timer
circuit. :(
Do you have the 555 data sheet? It _must_ be on the web somewhere, but
I've never looked for it as I have at least 2 versions on paper.
The 555 data sheet shows a component level schematic of the chip, and
it's not that hard to follow. It also shows the standard applicaiton
circu
Ah, or perhaps
Argh! :-). What test equipment do you have? Sicne you
can't detect these signals driectly, you need soem instrument to do
that,. I am tryign to think if there's any way you could find the fault
with just a multimeter...
I have an old Fluke multimeter that is formerly AT&T property. I don't
have much else (yet).
The instruments I used to use most when repairing calssic computers were
the multimeter and a simple logic probe. The latter, sued with thought,
can detect a laot of problems (it would be useful here to see if that
trigger input is toggling, for example).
Hower, I do find a good (if old) 'scope and a logic analyser to be very
useful. The latter is important if you are working on the older,
mostly-TTL-built machines as you are.
Now, I use a multimeter and the HP LogicDart. The latter takes the palce
of the logic probe, and is also a 3 cahnnel logic analyser, which is
enough for a lot of things. Still use the 'scope and a larger LA when I
need them, of course.
-tony