More parts I need to replace on the VT100

[Chuck Guzis]

On 12/1/2005 at 12:51 AM ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk wrote:

>I find those sort of tips totally useless!. There could be many causes of 
>'no vertical deflection' (or whatever), the fact that _once_ it was 
>caused by a particular set of components doesn't mean it always is.

No, but a tip that says "C303 is shorted, replace" actually gives me
something to check for.  The last time I used the Euras tips, it was
precisely this situation--a GE-chassis 12" set that wouldn't power up.
Power was controlled by an MPU connected to the pushbuttons on the front;
the MPU had +5 on it, no part number or configuration that I recognized, so
what to do?  

Most folks would throw the thing into electronics recycling, I suppose.
But I spent my $5 on the Euras site (you can search for the problem report
for free) and verifed that the cap indicated was indeed shorted.  Replaced
it with a higher WV rated cap and the set's still working a year later.  It
would have taken quite a while to otherwise probe and locate the faulty
component.  

Some stuff however, doesn't seem to be worth repairing when it stops
working.

When I came home the other day, I found a socket 462 ATX mobo (sans CPU and
memory)  on the kitchen table.   I asked my wife where it came from and she
said that a friend had dropped it off for me.  A call to the friend
revealed that the mobo was faulty and he'd replaced it and--isn't life
grand?--thought I'd like the old one.   Well, I suppose the ZIF socket
might be worth something, and there's always the button cell--but what else
is salvageable?  There's a bunch of SMT stuff that I could remove against
the time that I might need it, but it seems scarcely worth the effort. 

Cheers,
Chuck