Date   : Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:56:39 -0000 (GMT)
From   : splodge@... (Richard Gellman)
Subject: BBC Master 128 problem

> However now when I turn it on, I get a long beep and it seems to crash
at various points in startup
>
> It also seems to sometimes keep beeping when at the "This is not a
language" prompt
>
> Additionally, none of the keys (except break) work and most of the time
all three lights are on although sometimes one or none are on

I sense a faulty system VIA (or thereabouts). The sound chip, keyboard and
CMOS RAM (of which a fault in reading would result in the erroneous "This
is not a language" prompt) are all connected via the VIA (no pun
intended).

I would suggest examination of the system 6522 area for anything
metallic/conductive performing a cunning short circuit, or possibly even
an open circuit.

A problem you may encounter is that sometimes the 6522s in the M128 are
soldered in place (not always, but sometimes) making them somewhat hard to
swap. Additionally, the addressable latch which determines which device is
being accessed may be part of one of the Master's custom ULAs (I can't
remember if it is still a separate IC in the Master) which would be an
arse to replace.

-- Richard