Date   : Sun, 23 Jan 2000 13:11:16 +0000
From   : Philip Blundell <Philip.Blundell@...>
Subject: Re: Broken-up display 

>I have an 18 year old BBC Model B, which is still going strong apart from
>the fact that in mode 7 the display gradually disintegrates into an
>unreadable screen full of moving dashes very soon after switch-on.  All
>other modes are perfectly OK.
>
>Has anyone else had this problem, or does anyone know of a solution ??

Sounds like the SAA5050 teletext chip is coming loose in its socket.  Try 
pulling it out and re-inserting it.  If that doesn't help the socket may need 
replacing - some of the ones Acorn fitted were not especially high quality, 
though 18 years is a respectable lifespan in any case. :-)

p.