Date   : Sun, 20 May 2001 07:54:19 +0100
From   : Mike Tomlinson <mike@...>
Subject: Re: Have I killed my Beeb?

In message <001b01c0e068$6e0adc40$532d8ec6@...>, Adam
<alomac@...> writes

>Not for the moment, however I think this has more to do with my TV-VCR setup
>than anything. Does anyone know what type the co-ax connector on the BBC's
>video cable is?

It's called a BNC (Bayonet) connector - the same as is used on co-ax
Ethernet networks.

> I'll be needing an adaptor to use it properly, I think.
>Also, is there supposed to be a pin in it's (the connector's) centre?

yes.

>It's a very feeble beep. If I press Control-Break I get the 5-second
>BEEEEEEP! again.

you need to get some video sorted out first, so you can see what is
appearing on screen.

>I tried re-plugging it and cleaning the contacts with alcohol (isopropynol)
>still nothing. There is however, some kind of modification to the keyboard.
>Looking at the exposed keyboard from the top, there is a set of "jumpers"
>(actually holes in the PCB bridged by bits of stiff wire) This is where the
>modifications are.

If you mean the set of 14 or 16 holes in the bottom right hand corner of
the keyboard (viewed with the keyboard the right way up) like this:

o o o o o o o
    | |
    | |
o o o o o o o

this is OK, this configures the startup options for the machine.
Normally, a DIP switch is fitted in this position.

The modifications you describe cause the machine to run its disc drive
faster than the default.

>Three of the top row of contacts are connected to their respective number on
>the bottom row. These are the first, fourth and fifth from the right. The
>trace has been pulled away from the fourth-from-the-right contact, so really
>only two are truly connected - the first and fourth-from-the-right. If this
>doesn't make sense (and I'm sure it doesn't) let me know and I'll draw a
>diagram of the mods and put them on a web-page somewhere.

Not sure what is going on there.  Have you got a camera - can you put a
picture up somewhere?   A picture is worth a thousand words.

>From your description, I'm not clear whether the modification is just to
the set of holes in the bottom right hand corner of the keyboard, or if
they stretch right along the bottom of the entire keyboard.

Mike