Date   : Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:19:59 +0200
From   : robert@... (Robert Schmidt-Cisternas)
Subject: Acquired Beeb with symptoms...

Hi all,

I just acquired a Beeb (I haven't owned one since 1986 :-)), and was
wondering if the following symptoms ring any bells:

- Pressing BREAK once seems to freeze the machine
- Pressing BREAK a second time seems equivalent to Ctrl+BREAK (or
power-on?)
- In general the machine seems sluggish, especially in graphics modes -
it is not noticeable when typing, but games run much slower than I
remember them.  For example, the original Repton scrolls at about 2
frames per second(!)

Otherwise, it seems OK and very stable, discs boot and games run
(slowly).  I got this from a person who knew next to nothing about it.
Before him, it was used for some amateur radio stuff.  

I've removed a ROM with the label "AMT-2/BBC-B V01 (C) 1985 I.C.S." on
it, as well as a Viewsheet ROM.  I'm left with an OS 1.2, DFS 1.2 and
BASIC.  I've temporarily taken out the DFS as well, but that didn't
affect the BREAK problem.

Included with the lot was 2 spare ICs ("LM 324N", 14 pins).  I've
figured these to be op.amps - could these have been swapped out of the
Beeb to cause the above symptoms?  I can only see one socketed LM324N on
the PCB, IC35 at the back, but googling TBL! indicates that this only
affects the cassette interface.

Any help or suggestions are most welcome!

Cheers,
Robert