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Apple II+ No beep, no keyboard light...

A

ardsleytank

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So I have been talking to this guy on Ebay who is selling an Apple II+.

I asked him some questions and basically, when powered on there is no beep, no drive accessing, and no power light. But, he says that there's a high-pitched whine coming from the PSU.

I was thinking about buying this, but this raises some red flags...

Is there anyway of knowing without being in front of it, what the problem most likely is?

Thanks,
Peter
 
Hi Peter, High pitched squeal is most likely related to the power supply AC switcher circuit. Transformer or maybe a capacitor not sure.

Have the seller disconnect the power supply. If squeal is still there than I would suspect the power supply.

If it goes away then mainboard might be loading it down. Hard to say. Might be repairable though.

So if it is just the Power supply squealing than it might be worth getting the + and get a replacement power supply. Just my 2 cents worth
 
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Ah, so you know which one it is. I was afraid of that. ;)

I think might try and get it, I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't something unrepairable. I know that these old Apple's used the same poof-capacitors the old TRS-80's used.

Do you think that might be what's wrong with it?
 
No even if the Rifa Caps went out the "poof" caps as you call them you would still have power. Usually a squeal like that would most likely be caused by a transformer on the AC switcher side.

And trying to locate a transformer for that particular power supply would be a lesson in frustration.

So that's why I suggest just getting a replacement power supply if that is the problem. They are not that expensive.

Apple IIe power supply I believe will work. Here is one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-IIe-Power-Supply-/252471863780?hash=item3ac87ee9e4:g:rzsAAOSw4s9XksvF

Or if you really want a Plus power supply than this might do: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-II-Pl...554243?hash=item3aca34b203:g:AUIAAOSwRgJXhbO3

So maybe others can chime in about the IIe power supplies compatibility.
 
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Ugh... Sounds terrible. I may have to pass on this one. I was hoping for a simple recap...

I asked the seller to do the test you suggested, I haven't heard anything yet...

So if it is on the MB side, what is the likely diagnosis?
 
Shorted power lines. Most likely would be the +5volt side. Almost every chip on that board uses it.

Or could be as simple as a shorted Tantalum capacitor. If they are used on Apple II boards. Those like to short out after they get older. I know they can play havoc on an IBM PC or XT Mainboard and even there expansion boards.

Also have seller pull any plug in boards. Just in case. I saw it had 2 of them in it.
 
Welp. Got a response from the seller. I forgot to ask them to pull the boards...

It makes the whine with or without being plugged in.

Now, unless there's a cheap fix, I'm gonna have to pass on this one. I really can't afford $80+ plus an additional $30+ for the power supply. I was planning to use that $30+ for a Monitor ///...

Is there any possibility of a cheap fix for this one?
 
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It's possible its just a recap its possible its not

I'd hedge my bets on a recap and try to talk the seller down 20 bucks
 
Peter, Now that I think about it some more squealing could also be a bad Cap in the HV area.

Maybe set your sights on an Apple IIe. More abundant and usually cheaper.

@Osgeld the seller can't go cheaper he has bids on it. Already up to $67.00 I think
 
Yeah, I have considered getting a IIe. I just love the look of the II+'s though...

How hard are the grey-inset Apple III monitors to find?
 
I really can't afford $80+ plus an additional $30+ for the power supply. I was planning to use that $30+ for a Monitor ///...
Click to expand...
In what world does an ebay II+ sell for $80 still? The Monitor III is usually $50 on its own when they sell.
 
Yeah they go in the 150-200 range nowadays...

IIe's are better for day to day use... better keyboards, less problems. I have a couple II+'s, but it seems every time I try to use them I have to reseat or replace chips...
 
NeXT, at the time I posted that, it appeared it was going to go for that.

Rittwage, the only true reason why I would want a II Plus over a IIe is aesthetics only.

I'm still looking, but it looks like I may have to save my money a bit more...
 
Find me a ][ with the raised power "key" and I'll trade you my ][+ for it. :p

That's what I wanted when I bought the ][+. I got to play with a ][ like that daily back when they weren't worth anything, and everyone assumed they never would be anymore. That one in fact probably ended up in a landfill*. I just can't afford one now. Every once in a while an affordable ][+ shows up. A ][ with a raised power "key"? No way.

*I especially wish I had somehow rescued that one because it had a third party modification for lower case like I've never seen nor heard of since. The power "key" was replaced with a real latching key that lit up and looked exactly like the stock power "key" except that it said "LOWER" instead of "POWER". I may never forget that.
 
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