[net.micro.6809] Bizarre Coco problem

john@moncol.UUCP (John Ruschmeyer) (09/25/86)

A few weeks ago, I picked up a second-hand Color Computer and am having
an odd hardware problem which I am hoping one of you wizards can help me
with:

The machine in question is an early Color Computer II (26-3024?) upgraded
to 64k ECB.

At first glance, the computer appears to function normally. It will not,
however, work with disk drives. 

Attempting to DSKINI a disk causes the head to step to track 0 whereupon,
the operation stops with an I/O error. Other operations which should fail,
(such as trying to get a DIR of an unformatted disk or trying to SAVE or
LOAD from one) return with no error message, but do nothing.

The problem is not with the disk or controller- both function correctly on
a brand-new machine. The machine in question, however, fails identically
when used with a brand-new Tandy FD501 drive and controller.

What makes the problem bizarre is that the machine will function properly
with both the RS-232 and Speech/Sound Program Paks.


Given the current price of the Coco II and the announcement of the Coco
III, it is probably not worth putting too much into the machine. If I
could, however, I'd like to get it functioning. Any advice in resolving
this problem would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

-- 
Name:		John Ruschmeyer
US Mail:	Monmouth College, W. Long Branch, NJ 07764
Phone:		(201) 571-3451
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						   ...!pesnta!moncol!john

	This isn't a coronation- this is bad comedy.
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