Date   : Sun, 20 May 2001 08:02:42 +0100
From   : Mike Tomlinson <mike@...>
Subject: Re: Dead BBC. Solution?

In article <007a01c0e0e9$2423c660$a82a8ec6@...>, Adam
<alomac@...> writes

>I've been told that the modifications to the keyboard mentioned in my
>earlier post have hard-wired the machine to boot from floppy disk which I
>can circumvent to some degree by pressing SHIFT while turning the machine
>on.
>When I try this, the 5-second BEEP! is cut short. (machine goes breeBEEP!)

good - this is the first wire on the keyboard modifications (you said
that positions 1, 3 and 4 are linked.)  If you cut wire 1, this will
restore normal operation.  Wait until you have video working first.

>and then Crtl-G and the *TAPE commands work as advertised. However, I still
>get that faint beep when I press BREAK on its own,

that's not normal, and you need video to see what is appearing on screen
before you can tell what is happening.  Perhaps it's an additional ROM
which is producing its own beep.  What's written on the top of the chips
in the 5 28-pin sockets in the bottom right hand corner of the main
board?

> and there is always faint
>static coming from the speaker.

normal.  (usually more of a hissing sound) it's the sound circuitry
picking up and amplifying system noise from the PCB tracks surrounding
it.

>As mentioned, I still can't get TV output as I don't yet have the
>appropriate adaptor, am unsure of what one to get (What is the proper name
>for the socket on the BBC's cable? Is it BNC?)

yes

> , and think that the socket
>on the BBC's cable might be damaged 

perhaps not.  IIRC, the BNC connector on the Beeb is pretty robust, and
the BNC male connector (the one you need) does have a long centre pin.

-- 
"Security-wise, NT is a server with a 'Kick me' sign taped to it."
                      - Peter Gutmann