robin@csuchico.edu (Robin Goldstone) (08/01/90)
A couple of months ago I posted an article about my iicx's problems starting up. Many people replied to me complaining of the same problem. I promised a followup when I had any more information. Here, at last, is a statement from Apple regarding this problem: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apple has been receiving a number of calls about some Macintosh IIcx/ci CPU's exhibiting startup problems. The CPU will not power on from either the keyboard switch or the switch on the back of the CPU. The problem is intermittent but has a higher probability of occurring after the system has been turned off overnight (8 - 12 hours). If the system is unplugged for a short period of time and then plugged back in, it should then start up normally. If the system does not start up normally after being unplugged, then the power supply should be replaced. This problem may occur on a limited number of CPU's having a power supply within the serial number ranges of "GE924xxxxxxx through GE953xxxxxxx AND/OR GE001xxxxxxx through GE023xxxxxxx". A fix has been implemented by adding a resistor across capacitor C9 and a jumper wire on the control board. Production with "good" power supplies has been resumed. These new supplies will be identified by a white dot adjacent to the Molex output connector. Corrective action has been implemented on all units shipping after June 1990. Service inventory has also been purged and reworked. A service team has been formed and is in the process of developing a service plan to support the installed base of users who may experience this problem. In the interim, the Apple Assistance Center will provide Customer Satisfaction codes to all Resellers reporting this problem to them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ My notes: to alleviate this problem, the power cord must be unplugged from the CPU, not from the wall outlet. Also in my case, it must be unplugged for at least 10 seconds. Also, yesterday I looked at my power supply and the serial number looks nothing like the ones listed above... I still plan to agressively pursue getting my Mac fixed by Apple. So for those of you who share my problem, keep an eye and ear out for a recall announcement from Apple. It sounds like reporting the problem to your dealer would be good, so that they can get a "Customer Satisfaction Code" - whatever that is... Robin Goldstone, Systems Software Specialist California State Universtiy, Chico Computing Services robin@csuchico.edu