mugc@utecfa.UUCP (ModemUserGroupChairman) (07/21/85)
/* */ A few days ago, my cousins' 64 got fried by a voltage spike. Taking this opportunity to do some hacking (considering the com- puter was out of warranty anyway), I opened it up. One of the problems I found immediately was that CIA #2 was dead. (CIA #2 is U2; it handles the RS232(!) and the serial bus). So I went up to the Commodore service centre and bought a replacement chip for $10 Canadian (quite reasonable). After replacing the chip the computer worked, but would not access the modem port or the drive. After numerous hours of hunting, I still couldn't find the problem but had the feeling that the lines going to the port were singed (I did not open the solder side of the board). Finally, I took the computer up to the service centre and after 4 days when they had finished "fixing" it, I paid only $69.95 Cdn for a new board (the lines were burnt). At work I use a Lisa. A few days ago it was having hard disk problems so it was taken to Apple. It came back the next day with a new hard disk -- cost: $1300.00. All in all, I disagree that Commodore service is poor. Not too many companies will charge so little for a board replacement and yet fix it so quickly. (While I was waiting to pick up my computer, I saw a customer walk in with a 64 with a dead key- board. The technician replaced CIA#1 (the keyboard chip) on the spot and handed back the computer). Anees Munshi mugc@utecfa.UUCP Disclaimer: The usual one. Opinions expressed above may or may not be mine, are certainly not my employers' and are definitely not those of some on the net.