Blinky Capslock key in Amiga 500

17 October 2002, 14:13

My first amiga R.I.P
died after years of happy gaming, but my second and third one seemed to go funky on me and i never worked out why. when i switched it on the caps lock would just flash and the keyboard would not work. has this happened to anyone as i'm worried it might happen again.

Overdoc · 18 October 2002, 01:13

Depending on the number of flashes this point out to different problems with the keyboard.
I don't know remember by heart what means what now, but I will have a look.

However, it won't help very much.
Seems like the keyboard is broken.

But first try a keyboard from one of your other Amigas ( cannibalise the broken one

) and see if the problem stays with the keyboard or with the machine.
If the machine is the problem then I would check the CIA besides the keyboard connector.
Otherwise feel if any of the components on the small keyboard pcb get very hot. It might just be a failing transistor, but if the big chip is bad then you are out of luck.

18 October 2002, 14:12

the flashes were slow, but if you turned it of then back on after a while it would stop flashing and would be fine sometimes for a couple of hours then it would just start up again. wierd but it was upsetting 'cos that meant i could not play most games.

thanks for your suggestions i will try them if it happens to this one.

Amiga1992 · 18 October 2002, 20:51

Seems to be a CIA problem.... I dont know if this chip is socketed... try opening up the meega and reseating all socketed chips...

It could be that the CIA is flaky, and might die soon, too... I really am not sure, just ask Overdoc, or as I call himn, Dr. Commodore

Bloodwych · 18 October 2002, 21:33

Can't help you with your problem, but having so many Amiga's die is a concern.

It may be bad luck, but Amiga's are usually very reliable. Possible explanations are power surges in your house or perhaps a powerful speaker or two close by?

Overdoc · 19 October 2002, 00:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Akira
, just ask Overdoc, or as I call himn, Dr. Commodore

Maybe I should change my name from Overdoc to 'Commodordoc' ?

Btw, fortunately A-500s always have all their big chips socketed !
That makes them easier repairable than e.g. C64s

@ pulley:

If reseating the CIA doesn't cure the problem then try swapping them against each other ( ODD CIA agaist EVEN CIA )
They have the C= chip number 8520 printed on them.
Be careful to insert them in correct orientation !

18 October 2002, 14:12	#3
pulley Posts: n/a	thank you the flashes were slow, but if you turned it of then back on after a while it would stop flashing and would be fine sometimes for a couple of hours then it would just start up again. wierd but it was upsetting 'cos that meant i could not play most games. thanks for your suggestions i will try them if it happens to this one.

18 October 2002, 21:33	#5
Bloodwych Moderator Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: I'm behind you! Posts: 3,763	Can't help you with your problem, but having so many Amiga's die is a concern. It may be bad luck, but Amiga's are usually very reliable. Possible explanations are power surges in your house or perhaps a powerful speaker or two close by? Last edited by Bloodwych; 19 October 2002 at 12:14.

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17 October 2002, 14:13	#1
pulley Posts: n/a	My first amiga R.I.P died after years of happy gaming, but my second and third one seemed to go funky on me and i never worked out why. when i switched it on the caps lock would just flash and the keyboard would not work. has this happened to anyone as i'm worried it might happen again.

18 October 2002, 01:13	#2
Overdoc Commodore Collector Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austria Age: 53 Posts: 944	Depending on the number of flashes this point out to different problems with the keyboard. I don't know remember by heart what means what now, but I will have a look. However, it won't help very much. Seems like the keyboard is broken. But first try a keyboard from one of your other Amigas ( cannibalise the broken one ) and see if the problem stays with the keyboard or with the machine. If the machine is the problem then I would check the CIA besides the keyboard connector. Otherwise feel if any of the components on the small keyboard pcb get very hot. It might just be a failing transistor, but if the big chip is bad then you are out of luck.

18 October 2002, 20:51	#4
Amiga1992 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: ? Posts: 19,645	Seems to be a CIA problem.... I dont know if this chip is socketed... try opening up the meega and reseating all socketed chips... It could be that the CIA is flaky, and might die soon, too... I really am not sure, just ask Overdoc, or as I call himn, Dr. Commodore

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