Apple-1 display not working well: Is it because of my counterfeit AM1404s? Or something else?

Hi everyone,I hope you're all doing well?

This is my first post since I started building my Apple-1 replica.

I’ve read a lot of the resources on this forum, but today I’ve hit a wall (probably because I’ve also reached the limit of my electronics knowledge...).Over the past few months, I’ve bought (or been given) most of the components to build my Apple-1 replica.

All voltages are okay. 

I have a real 2513, 2519.

Here's a glimpse of my fully populated PCB:

IMG_0931.JPG

Today, I’m finally seeing some results (i.e., I have a display!), but there’s still a bit of a way to go before I have a working replica...Here’s where I’m at: 

I’ve populated all the video components (and more).It seems to me that I have a “flickering”/oscillating signal (with the DS0026). When I don’t install an AM1404, I get a string of @_@_@_@_, where the @s are blinking. That seems a normal situation from what I've read so far.

When I install the AM1404s—using an initial batch from China (I read post from Uncle Bernie explaining those where counterfeits...) —I get a completely static screen of @_@_@_@_, except for the first column of @s, which flash.

See below: 

IMG_1002.JPG

IMG_1004.JPG

So I figured my AM1404s were fakes (and probably ICs of a different type actually...).So I bought some other AM1404s that were supposed to be good. But I’m still skeptical. When I installed them this time, I got a screen filled with @@@@@@ (so 0s, if I understand correctly) that are all blinking.

IMG_1006.JPG

So to this point, I unsure when I am...

I’m inclined to think that none of my AM1404s are working. Real or working ones are so hard to find in 2026...But I’m not sure.Maybe my problem lies somewhere else? Are there other components I should test before?

I detail that seems important to mention: When I try to send a CLEAR signal (via the keyboard pins), my screen goes blank briefly, but as soon as I let go, it returns to its @_@_@_@ or @@@@@@ state. I never get a single blinking @. Same for the RESET signal.

So I need your advices...

I have an oscilloscope and a multimeter, and I’m ready to test anything you might suggest.

Thank you for your help guys! Much appreciated.

Love from France,

Jonathan.