TeleCOMPAQ: Phoning it in

[compaqportableplus]

Nice! Hopefully the drive will work.

That thing looks well-built for sure. You’re making me want one bad!

Do you know if the CPU is an 8086 or an 8088? I know it has to be XT-class from the keyboard layout.

[MrArgent]

It's an 8086! Full 16 - looks like a DeskPro 8086 derivative.

[compaqportableplus]

It's an 8086! Full 16 - looks like a DeskPro 8086 derivative.

Excellent!

[VERAULT]

So this thing is essentially like the Zaisan phone computer system i sold and commented on in the past right?

[RadRacer203]

No way, that thing is amazing!!! Very similar concept to the Zaisan. I definitely need one of these Telecompaqs now

[MrArgent]

Definitely a power supply issue. 120V makes it through the two power switches and into the PSU, but in spite of some signs of high voltage nothing makes it out of the PSU -- even for things not tied to the motherboard voltage rail like the CRT Display or the CRT compartment fan. Apparently it's ALWAYS power supply issues on these machines, so that wasn't unexpected. Now to narrow things down further...

Hard drive won't spin up, either. I spot what I think is a broken cap. Not mere stiction, though...

[NeXT]

Have you tried jumpering the power supply using a paper clip yet?

Joking aside, I suspect since you are seeing volts past the rectifier and in the primary side that either the DC control section needs a cap change because the out-of-value caps are messing with the logic (I have seen that happen. I'm working on PSU's right now that this is happening in) or the secondary side caps are unable to handle the inrush and it's going into protection. I believe you mentioned in IRC that with the PSU removed you were not seeing rail shorts to ground.

[vwestlife]

Computer Reset was selling these for $329 in 1993 (see page 3 of the PDF):

http://www.amstereo.org/files/1993Co...setCatalog.pdf

I wonder if they still have any in their warehouse?

[NeXT]

Does that place even exist anymore beyond a hole in the ground? I thought they started palletizing everything and hauling it away earlier in the year?

[vwestlife]

Does that place even exist anymore beyond a hole in the ground? I thought they started palletizing everything and hauling it away earlier in the year?

No, a team of volunteers are helping to run the place. It's still open, but you to need to join Computer Reset's Facebook group and be invited to come in.