Crazy Demonic ][+ with a mind of it's own

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Crazy Demonic ][+ with a mind of it's own
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This problem has gotten progressively worse. It happens with and without the keyboard attached. I've tried reseating chips but nothing seems to have made a difference.

Basically it types a paragraph of random (but uniform) letters then seems to hit return all by itself.

All the time it's doing this, it's beeping an awful lot, like an Apple possessed!

I can interrupt the mayhem intermittently with keypresses, but it continues to repeat the letter e.g. QQQQQQQQQQQQQQWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRR... etc

Are there any ICs I should pay special attention to?

I've searched but couldn't find an example where someone has had this exact problem.

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Re: Crazy Demonic ][+ with a mind of it's own

I don't know about the ii+ but if it were any other Apple ii then I would say that one of the contacts on the keys were making contact intermittently. The keyboard needs repair IMHO.

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Re: Crazy Demonic ][+ with a mind of it's own

I thought that initially, but this happens even with the keyboard disconnected Sad

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Re: Crazy Demonic ][+ with a mind of it's own

Such behaviour is normally related to the strobe and the AKS ( Acknowledge Keystroke )
the related chips are located at the row B and at position B2 ( NE555 ) B3 ( 74LS00 ) and B4 ( 74LS00 )
on mainboard.
all 3 chips together would cost less than 2 Dollars in local electronic shop or electronic shop at ebay
... replace all 3 and the trouble should vanish...

sincerely speedyG

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Re: Crazy Demonic ][+ with a mind of it's own

Thank you! I'll purchase those or see if I have some in another working machine and test it out Smile

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Re: Crazy Demonic ][+ with a mind of it's own

By the way, the "hitting return by itself" is simply reaching the 256 character limit and starting with a new prompt. Besides that I had no clue till Speedy gave you the lowdown! Biggrin
Zan

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Re: Crazy Demonic ][+ with a mind of it's own

Looks like Speedy has given instructions on how to banish a demon.

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Re: Crazy Demonic ][+ with a mind of it's own

Related, the beeping is probably Applesoft telling you you are approaching the 255 character limit.

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Re: Crazy Demonic ][+ with a mind of it's own

Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys, I got hold of the correct ICs as recommended by SpeedyG and sure enough, the madness has ceased!

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