24 Feb
1998
24 Feb
'98
4:11 a.m.
Tony's comment, below... about the only equipment
needed to repair... was
helpful.
So, as I have an Altair, a BBC, a KIM, a Sorcerer and various other beasties
awaiting ressurection, and having little (well, OK... no) electronics
experience, starting at square 1...
a) What should I be looking for in a logic probe. Any recommended models
(say, <$100)
Get a used HP. I bought one at a hamfest (years ago) for about $50.
It was a good deal. They work great, and they're still in production
after all these years.
b) Ditto for multimeter.
Get a used Fluke 8020,8022, 8024, 8050. They're accurate, incredibly
easy to calibrate and repair, and rugged to boot. A 77 series would
be okay, but the price would have to be right. DOnt't bother with
the 8000, 8030,8040, no matter how cheap.
AN 8060, but again only if you can get a REALLY good deal on one.
They're a bitch to repair (having done it). I wouldn't buy a brand
new one.
c) Where can I find a brain? :)
Living in Kansas, you'd think I'd know the way to Oz, but I don't. I
don't think I've ever met scarecrow I didn't like, though.
Actually, the Altair will be my first task. I'm
thinking of #1 taking out
all the boards. Good idea?
I have it firing up and basically behaving, but some LEDs don't light when
they should, but are definitely able to light when they want to.
A
Jeff
Hmm... I've yet to find a classic computer
fault that could not be
tracked down using 3 things - a logic probe, a multimeter (DMM/VOM) and
a _brain_. On the grounds that my brain isn't that good, I sometimes have
to use other test equipment, but when I finally do track down the
problem, I generally realise that the symptoms were obvious from the
start if only I'd realised what they meant.