My Apple II (non plus) boots fine without the 16K Language Card and reads from the floppy disk.
Games (Loderunner) play fine etc.
But when the 16K Language card is plugged in and a boot up is attempted (buy switching on/off) the screen goes funny (flickers and gives a solid flashing cursor without the "]" prompt.
When I switch the computer on and off again a random symbol pattern appears, sometime it gives a solid cursor other times nothing.
This language card used to work earlier. It is a generic card and not an Apple II original item.
I am aware that language card replacements are relatively easy to find, but was hoping I could fix the card / diagnose the issue while I wait.
I have already tried reseating the chips (both on the card and the motherboard) and contact cleaning the legs of the card and the slot 0.
I have not cleaned the 16 bit female port yet.
If anyone has had isolated issues with the language card and fixed them, please let me know
Apple II forever!
Yes, I've had issues with the language card. Some interference would appear on the screen when the language card was switched on. I don't remember this being a problem in the distant past.
What you've done already sounds pretty good. I fixed the issues by using a different language card that didn't cause so much interference.
I wonder which components might deteriorate over time? Capacitors? Traces?
Whatever degrades (electrolytic czpacitors I am told "dry up"), it seems to have spared my beloved 1978 motherboard which has been working since the Voyager days.