A500+ Keyboard Problem

SteveK · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 1:19 pm Post subject: A500+ Keyboard Problem

Hi guys, long time lurker, first time poster. Hoping you can help me out here. I have acquired an A500+ which is having an intermittent problem. On startup, the caps lock light is blinking (1 blink for a ROM problem AFAIK). Obviously, the keyboard won't work but the machine still works fine for any game that doesn't need the keyboard.

When the problem arises, I just switch off the power, leave it for a few minutes and after that the keyboard works fine again.

I have sourced the following keyboard:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310301910281&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123

Is a straight swap of keyboards possible? Should it solve the issue or am I just making life more difficult?

Thanks in advance!

S.

Ze Emulatron · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:36 pm Post subject:

This website says the Caps Lock usually flashes once during startup but I think it says if it stays on for several seconds then flashes it is a ROM checksum error
http://www.skepticfiles.org/cowtext/comput~1/ami-init.htm

I'll have to check my A500 and A500+ when I am at home.

I have replaced my A500+ keyboard with an A500 keyboard, it was a straight swap. I replaced the keyboard because some of the keys were missing.

SteveK · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:32 pm Post subject:

Hi Ze,

Thanks for the reply. When The machine boots properly, the caps lock does flash briefly as normal. but when the problem arises, the caps lock light continuously blinks abd locks the keyboard.

If its just a straight swap, there might be no harm in getting a replacement keyboard anyway.

S.

Ze Emulatron · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:13 pm Post subject:

There might be some info here about the Caps Lock here
http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=9001
It said an autofire joystick with auto fire turned on can cause a blinking caps lock or power supply problem or rom problem. So swapping the keyboard mightn't fix the problem.

SteveK · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:58 am Post subject:

Hi Ze,

Thanks for the links, I'd read up about most of that, looks like I'll need to do some more testing first before getting a replacement keyboard.

S.

Ze Emulatron · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 2:02 am Post subject:

Sorry I couldn't help, I don't really know about amiga hardware problems, except the barrel type batteries should be removed as they can leak and damage the computer.

SteveK · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:20 am Post subject:

No problem Ze,

Haven't had time to open it up yet, plan is to check and remove the battery (and any possible damage caused by it), re-seat all chips and keyboard, test with mouse/joysticks and then see how things look.

If keyboard problem remains then I'll get a replacement.

Steve