assessing an S-100 computer before flipping that switch for the firt time

[SMichelsen]

I have recently purchased an AVL Eagle computer, which is an S-100 machine. Rather than just rush to switch it on and see what happens, I have been advised to take the following steps. Please tell me if this is the best process to confirm that "all's well" with this machine before I try to boot it. Thanks!

1. Pull all the boards, keeping them in order and noting which slots each one was in
2. Connect the monitor, floppy drive and keyboard
3. Plug in and turn on the PC
4. Check pin 1-50 for 8 volts, pin 2-50 for 16 volts
5. Turn off and unplug the PC
6. Reinstall the CPU, RAM and video boards (lets see if I can figure which ones they are!)
7. Plug in the PC
8. With no boot disk in the PC, turn it on and see if it gets to a screen prompt

 

[monahan_z]

Might also take a look here:-
http://s100computers.com/My System Pages/Debugging/Debugging for beginners.htm

John

 

[SMichelsen]

Might also take a look here:-
http://s100computers.com/My System Pages/Debugging/Debugging for beginners.htm

John

Great resource! I will go through the process as laid out there. Thanks!

 

[JonB]

My approach was plug it in, turn it on, replace all the exploded tantalum caps, repeat.

It actually worked.

YMMV :D

 

[DeltaDon]

My approach was plug it in, turn it on, replace all the exploded tantalum caps, repeat.

It actually worked.

YMMV :D

That gave me a good chuckle.

 

[JonB]

Well, not having a variac is a bit of a problem.. that and general impatience. ��