Date   : Thu, 02 Nov 2006 00:03:10 -0000
From   : cwhill@... (Colin)
Subject: Dead Beebs (mine)

I am having one last go at this before dumping my Beeb.
Please bear with me.
It was working fine (although many years stored (clean and dry) in my
friend's loft. A BBC B and, if it's the right bit of paper I found on the
floor (it dropped off), the number is 01-ANBO1-3002681 (sorry if that's off
something else) and it looks like the date is 1983 on the power block.
After using it for a while, I noticed the video out socket was a little
loose so opened it up and, sure enough, it was only on by one strand and (as
it is a twist fix) had loosened the nut at the back.
I re-soldered the wire (on the socket, not the circuit board) and fastened
it all back together (that's about the sum total of my technical skills).
When I switched it back on, it just made a continual beep with the caps lock
light remaining on and, for a brief moment, the shift lock light flickers.
I didn't bend anything, catch anything or do anything else at all other than
brush a little fluff (gently with soft paintbrush) out of the case. No
removal of ROMS or any other fiddling. Just a little solder job and then put
the case back together again.
It doesn't boot to anything (and nothing on the screen) and the keyboard
doesn't do anything either (yes, it is connected via the ribbon cable). The
only other thing I have tried is to unplug the keyboard cable and, of
course, the light(s) go out but the sound remains. Nothing feels unduly
warm, no smells, nothing.
I don't have the skill nor the equipment to test anything and no spares to
exchange with.
Any suggestions (I have had a look on the site but it's not quite what's
happening) would be appreciated.
Sorry for imposing but it's the "last chance saloon" time,
Colin Hill