Hi
While waiting for a replacement DuoDisk cable for my IIe, I got to wondering if I could use a MonoDisk from my IIc.
Monodisk is just half a DuoDisk, No? The connector seems the same? So I tried it.
On powering up the IIe, there was a fizz and a pop and the usual escape of magic smoke. (Computers don't work without it:- once it's gone, the computer usually dies!)
Anyhoo, thinking I'd broke something I couldn't fix, I promptly switched off and disconnected the MonoDisk.
To my surprise, switching back on the IIe everything seems to work ok. Switching off again and opening the case, I released what was left of the magic smoke and once it had cleared, I couldn't see anything obviously untoward. (Maybe *inside* the PSU?)
have I been lucky this time? Something definitely went bang! (or Pop, or Fizz or..)
Plugging in my DuoDisks, I can read disks ok so I'm not sure what died.
Anybody know for certain the reason I'd get this reaction on plugging in a MonoDisk? Or what do I need to replace?
Will this have a knock-on effect to the IIe? Anything else which could/will be effected?
Thanks in advance.
Regards
Mark
It's your power filter capacitor, inside the power supply. See, for example, this conversation.
Thanks.
That would explain the lack of obvious damage. Acorn's BBC micros here in the UK seem to suffer a very similar problem. I've had one of those do the same to me. BBC Micros are known for continuing to work even after an escape of Magic Smoke!
Before I go ahead and plug in the MonoDisk again, will it work?
Is the PSU fault just coincidental with my plugging in the drive or a possible cause?
Yes. Once the PSU is nursed back to health.
The additional load of having a drive spin up can be enough to push a marginal power supply over the edge. So it's probably some of both. The supply was already on the ragged edge, and the drive pushed it over. "Recapping" the power supply should make everything right again.
Thanks
I'll dig up some caps and get out the hot iron.
Regards
Mark